I wish I could write an entire column filled only with the words, "You need to watch Revolutionary Road." But, since I owe you more than that, let me instead tell you why exactly you need to check out this movie.

When I first saw Revolutionary Road in the theater, I left thinking, "Okay, that was a good movie." But then I noticed that I couldn't stop thinking about it for days, and even weeks, later. It's one of those movies that is just so intense, so deep, so powerful, that it haunts you long after you've seen it.

And I say that in the best of ways. Revolutionary Road is about the "hopeless emptiness" that couples can feel. The movie stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet as Frank and April Wheeler, who, though they seem happy at first, end up disappointed with their lives. April is dissatisfied with being a housewife and Frank hates his marketing job. There are affairs, unwanted pregnancies and hopes of starting completely over and moving to Paris.

Revolutionary Road will make your heart hurt, but it will also make you think, which is the best part. It will make you reevaluate your life and figure out how to prevent the hopeless emptiness from happening to you.

Check out this exclusive clip from the DVD of director Sam Mendes (Kate Winslet's husband) and Leonardo DiCaprio giving some more insight into what Revolutionary Road is about:



















Though Kate Winslet received the most recognition for her role as April, Leonardo DiCaprio deserves the same, if not more, praise. And the two of them together is not only movie gold, but it proves how incredible they are as actors. Though they were successful together in Titanic, they're even more extraordinary when there's no big boat as the third character. Revolutionary Road is purely about raw emotions, and they exhibit them so realistically and with such great chemistry it's shocking that this was a dramatic, scripted film and not a documentary.

Now that Revolutionary Road is on DVD, you need to check it out. I watched it on DVD and loved it even more than the first time I saw it, which I didn't think was possible. And amazingly enough, the special features--mostly the featurette "The Making of Revolutionary Road"-- is almost as good as the movie itself.

So do yourself a favor and go watch Revolutionary Road... now!

-- Jacki Garfinkel

I hope Brad Pitt doesn't hate me for this, but I really didn't like The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. It may not have helped that when I saw it in the theater, the lady next to me fell asleep and decided to snore really, really loudly, or perhaps it was the fact that it was nearly three hours long, but either way, the movie just didn't do it for me.

After my ranting about my dislike for the movie, my boyfriend -- who initially wanted to check out the flick -- decided not to shell out the $12 for a ticket, but when I received the DVD, he was eager to finally watch it.

Well, I may be alone in my view of the film, as The Curious Case of Benjamin Button received 8.2 stars on imdb.com and a 72% rating on rottentomates.com. And, oh yes, my boyfriend loved it. As much as I ranted, he raved.

I asked him to email me a couple of lines about what he loved, and in return he wrote me a novel. I'll spare you his entire review, but I thought these few lines were worth sharing: "The story was really about people trying to go against what they are by nature, and then inevitably having to accept their fate... Movie making is about telling a story, and so many movies fail to do that. Right down to the core this was a good story."

All that said, I think the Benjamin Button DVD is worth picking up for two reasons. First, the movie is super long, and it's always nice to watch lengthier movies in the comfort of your own home, so you can pause it as necessary. Second, the special features. Whether or not you like the film, it's hard to not give kudos to the special effects and costumes (over five thousand costumes were designed), and the DVD is filled with bonus features about how the movie was made.

Here's an exclusive clip from the DVD about the costumes:




















So, what did you think of Benjamin Button? Did you like it? Will you get the DVD? Am I crazy to not have liked it?

--Jacki Garfinkel

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"I make more money doing animation than doing live action ... each year I do one DreamWorks project, and then I take all the money to the Oscars and bet it on Pixar."

That was Kung Fu Panda star Jack Black's quip at the Oscars Sunday night, referring to the fact that Pixar's animated flicks tend to get all the critical and awards-season acclaim. There's no arguing that Pixar flicks have heart - who can resist the charms of WALL-E or Rex the toy tyrannosaurus or blue, furry Sully?

But as Black's Kung Fu Panda proved, DreamWorks Animation has produced several endearing 'toon tales of its own, which made me pull the new Madagascar 2: Escape 2 Africa DVD off the shelf for a viewing.

Today's nifty gifty DVD suggestion ...

 

The Caped Crusader!

The Dark Knight on Blu-ray

 

What makes it such a nifty gifty: It's one of the best movies of the year - and not just one of the best comic book movies of the year, one of the best movies of the year, period. Though it's still up in the air whether or not the late Heath Ledger will receive a posthumous, and well-deserved, Oscar nomination for his incredible performance as The Joker (he received a Golden Globe nod this week), the DVD has already sold three million copies since its release on Tuesday. So let it be said, three million Batman fans can't be wrong.

 

It's the perfect nifty gifty for: Everyone in your family, all your friends, all your co-workers (hey, I said it was one of the best movies of the year).

Today's nifty gifty DVD suggestion ...

 

TV's most adorkable new spy guy!

Chuck: The Complete First Season on Blu-ray

 

What makes it such a nifty gifty: Charles Bartowski is your average slacker geek working at the Buy More (think Best Buy), heading up the store's Nerd Herd tech support crew (think Geek Squad), when he finds out that his ex-best friend - a guy who betrayed him and got him kicked out of college - has arranged for Chuck to accidentally download to his brain all the U.S. government's secrets. High concept? Sure. But after that initial plot, what results is an Alias-meets-Psych dramedy with a cool, sensitive, adorable nerd/spy (the endearing Zachary Levi), his goofy pals, the gorgeous female spy handler (Yvonne Strahovski) who wins his heart and the hilariously grumpy other spy handler (Adam Baldwin) who begrudgingly has to protect Chuck. There's also Chuck's sweet, caring sister and her super perfect fiancé, a smart, kind, funny, impossibly attractive guy the gang affectionately calls Captain Awesome. It's the best reason for no longer dreading Monday nights!

 

It's the perfect nifty gifty for: Your niece and nephew, your boyfriend, your dad, your uncle, your friend, you co-worker.

 

Today's nifty gifty DVD suggestion ...

 

We interrupt this program to annoy you and make things generally irritating!

The Complete Monty Python Flying Circus Collector's Edition Megaset

 

What makes it such a nifty gifty: The nifty graphics-covered box includes all four seasons of Flying Circus, as well as new documentaries, live performances, deleted scenes, "personal best" collections, a Python dictionary, quizzes and much more. As the title suggests, it's a MEGAset, and a must for any Python devotee. And, though it retails for $159.95, Amazon.com is offering it for 51% off - that's $78.49 for those of us who were promised there would be no math in this gift guide.

 

It's the perfect nifty gifty for: Your dad, your brother, your uncle, your best friend, your co-worker.

 

Today's nifty gifty DVD suggestion ...

 

It's be-witching!

Charmed: The Complete Series box set

 

What makes it such a nifty gifty: 49 discs - 49 discs, people! - housed in a sturdy, gothic-y "Book of Shadows" include all eight seasons of the show and loads of special features, covering all the show's main characters, as well as the unaired pilot and a hot "Men of Charmed" feature. Yum!

 

It's the perfect nifty gifty for: Your niece, your sister, your best friend, your mom.

 

Today's nifty gifty DVD suggestion ...

 

They're ab fab!

Absolutely Fabulous - Absolutely Everything box set

 

What makes it such a nifty gifty: Sweetie, darling! It's nine discs - all five seasons - plus the Christmas specials and nearly three hours of special features, all packaged in an appropriately blinged out silver, quilted book. And, of course, because it's one of - if not THE - best Britcoms ever.

 

It's the perfect nifty gifty for: Your mom, your aunt, your best friend, your sister.

 

Today's nifty gifty DVD suggestion ...

 

The new Gilligans!

Lost: The Complete Fourth Season on Blu-ray

 

What makes it such a nifty gifty: Not many dramas can start out great, lose their way, and in the fourth season, rebound with a year that's almost as good as the first. But Lost did that very thing (let that be a lesson to the powers that be at Heroes ... but I digress), as the fourth season, on the heels of that season three finale game changer with Jack and Kate back to the real world, was shocking, heartbreaking and appointment viewing every week. And Lost on Blu-ray: hey, the show is filmed in Hawaii, and Blu-ray is very kind to Hawaii.

 

It's the perfect nifty gifty for: Your best pal, your 'rents, your siblings, your nephew and your co-worker.

 

A Little Story:
When The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe hit theaters in December 2005, I was beyond skeptical. The Narnia book series was one of my favorites, and I had already seen the movie... I had watched the BBC version over and over (and over and over) throughout my childhood. I loved it. So, when my boyfriend came over one afternoon with a DVD of the Disney version, I said I'd only watch it if he watched the BBC version with me after, so he could see the "better version."

Well, I ended up watching Disney's take on Narnia, and though I wouldn't admit it then, it was really good. The story followed the book, and the animation was incredible. It wasn't like the cartoon animals flying through the air in my BBC classic. And though I'll forever love the humans dressed as beavers in the original, I did fall asleep while watching my favorite movie during the Disney versus BBC face-off.

A long explanation, yes, but that's why I feel it's important to let you know about the release of the Prince Caspian DVD. The Chronicles of Narnia movies are filled with the most engaging fantastical stories. If you want some time to escape, it's best to do it with these stories. You won't be disappointed.

The DVD:
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian comes with three discs. The first is the full-length movie, along with the audio commentary from the director and actors. The third disc is your digital copy. And what about disc two, you ask? Well, that's the fun part: the special features!

- Bloopers: When done correctly, the bloopers feature is always the most fun. On this DVD, they're definitely done well. From kissing scenes, to falls and spills, to anatomically correct dolls, the bloopers will keep you laughing.

- Talking Animals and Walking Trees: The Magical World of Narnia: Considering Lucy, Peter, Edmund and Susan are the only real humans in the Narnia series, tons of special effects are used to create all of the other characters. This feature looks at the evolution of the characters from the Beavers to Reepicheep to, of course, the magical Aslan.

- Becoming Trumpkin: It's a really interesting feature on how actor Peter Dinklage became Trumpkin, the cynical red dwarf. It's absolutely fascinating to see how the makeup and prosthetics are created... a huge transformation!

There are tons of other special features on the DVD, but you have to get it to check them out! Be sure to do so, and take a little time out from your day to escape to the world of Narnia.  

The Story:
Po (Jack Black) is the laziest panda around, save for his enthusiasm for all things kung fu. That may finally come in handy for him when an evil snow leopard named Tai Lung (Ian McShane) escapes from prison, and a prophecy suggests only Po can save his village from the leopard baddie. Po's going to need lots of help though, in the form of training by Shifu the red panda (Dustin Hoffman), Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Monkey (Jackie Chan), Viper (Lucy Liu), Crane (David Cross) and Mantis (Seth Rogen).

The DVD:
If you like special features (which is personally the reason why I buy most DVDs), then you'll be obsessed with the Kung Fu Panda Pandamonium Double Pack. (Yes, Pandamonium since Jack Black plays a panda - love it!) Here are some of my favorites:

- Mr. Ping's Noodle House: The Food Network's Iron Chef host, Alton Brown, learns how to make noodles with an executive pasta chef.

- Meet the Cast: The best featurettes are the ones when the cast speaks, and this one, running 13 minutes long, fills that need. Each member of the cast, from Jack Black to Angelina Jolie to Dustin Hoffman, discusses how they got involved in the film and how they turned into their characters. All you Brangelina fans out there will love watching her get into Tigress mode. 

- Dragon Warrior Training Academy: A super fun game (who doesn't love when DVDs come with even extra entertainment?) in which you have to complete the challenges in five training rooms in order to become the Dragon Warrior!

- Secrets of the Furious Five: It's a whole extra DVD that features a 30 minute short which reveals the secrets of the Furious Five and shows what it takes to become a Kung Fu master. In addition to the film, there are even more extras on this bonus DVD! You can learn how to do the panda dance, find out what Chinese animal you are, get Kung Fu lessons and learn how to draw the movie characters.

Final Thoughts:
Kung Fu Panda's Pandamonium Double Pack is the perfect definition of what a DVD should be. Aside from the animated short, viewers can spend hours and hours watching all of the bonus features. Other DVDs should take a hint from Kung Fu Panda!

Today's nifty gifty DVD suggestion ...

 

It's the first family of TV gangsters!

The Sopranos: The Complete Series

 

What makes it such a nifty gifty: If you've caught any of the re-airings of the HBO drama on A&E, you know that, even edited, the show continues to pack a whallop, and on every viewing, you catch more and more of the layered storylines. This killer - pun intended - box set collects all six seasons of the Emmy winner, plus a cool book, hours of bonus features and even a sitdown/dinner roundtable discussion with the show's cast. Bottom line: It's a must have for any serious TV drama fan, and Amazon.com is selling the set for $199.99 with free shipping ... fughetabboudit!

 

It's the perfect nifty gifty for: Your mom and dad, your husband or boyfriend, your uncle, your brother and your best friend.

 

Today's nifty gifty DVD suggestion ...

 

A DVD box set that's better than Jell-O Pudding Pops!

The Cosby Show: 25th Anniversary Commemorative Edition

 

What makes it such a nifty gifty: It includes every episode from all eight seasons of the classic '80s family sitcom The Cosby Show, from Denise's attempt to make Theo a designer shirt (a Gordon Gartrelle) to the marriage of Elvin and Sondra and Denise's wedding to Martin and the somewhat annoying Olivia years. Cosby is one of the rare shows that's every bit as wonderful as you remember it being when you watched it as a kid, and with the handsomely-packaged set available for under $100 at Amazon.com, it's a real bargain for any '80s TV fan. Bonus: The set also includes an all-new interview with Bill Cosby himself, who talks about the show's lasting impact on TV comedies.

 

It's the perfect nifty gifty for: Your hubby, your brother and sister and your best friend.

Today's nifty gifty DVD suggestion ...

 

It's holiday cartoon DVDs, Charlie Brown!

Peanuts Holiday Collection

 

What makes it such a nifty gifty: It includes remastered versions of the three best Peanuts holiday specials: It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and A Charlie Brown Christmas, with making-of featurettes on all three. My fave: Popcorn & Jellybeans: Making a Thanksgiving Classic, which refers, of course, to Snoopy's infamous "gourmet" Turkey Day feast of jellybeans, popcorn, pretzel sticks and buttered toast.

 

It's the perfect nifty gifty for: Your niece or nephew, your brother or sister, a co-worker and Secret Santa swaps where you might not know your giftee very well (who doesn't love the Peanuts gang, after all?).

Today's nifty gifty DVD suggestion ...

 

The 2008 Oscar Favorites Box Set

Michael Clayton, There Will Be Blood, No Country for Old Men, Juno and Sweeney Todd

 

What makes it such a nifty gifty: First, I should point out that this isn't an actual box set ... you have to purchase the DVDs individually. But put 'em together in one of those movie tubs of microwavable popcorn, with a couple of boxes of movie candy (which is always on sale at Walgreens, BTW) and you've got a very nifty gifty, and five great, and very different, flicks from 2007.

 

George Clooney and Johnny Depp lost the Leading Actor statue, but gave the performances of their careers in Clayton and Sweeney, while Blood will give you the chance to finally see what all the fuss was about with those milkshake jokes (and with Daniel Day-Lewis' Oscar-winning performance). Juno is what can only be called the best feel-good movie about teen pregnancy ever, and No Country for Old Man was the deserving Best Picture winner.

 

It's the perfect nifty gifty for: Your parents, your uncle, your brother, your film-lovin' co-worker and your aspiring filmmaker cousin.

Today's nifty gifty DVD suggestion ...

 

The First Family of the Modern Stone Age

The Flintstones: The Complete Series

 

What makes it such a nifty gifty: Flintstones, meet the Flintstones, in this complete series box set that houses the classic cartoon in one of the most ridiculously cool packages of the year.

Today's nifty gifty DVD suggestion ...

 

The Saga of Half-Pint

Little House on the Prairie - The Complete Television Series

 

What makes it such a nifty gifty: It's only one of the greatest family dramas ev-er!

Today's nifty gifty DVD suggestion ...

 

Super Spy Guys

James Bond Blu-ray Volume 1 and 2 and Casino Royale on Blu-ray

 

What makes it such a nifty gifty: If you haven't made the decision whether or not to switch to the Blu-ray format, these are great examples of DVDs that might help you make up your mind ... quite simply, they look incredible, with sharp scenes throughout and great sound quality.