2020’s been a hell of a year, and to ease the exhaustion, we thought it was time to bring you our annual Movie Lovers Holiday Gift Guide for Christmahannukwanzadan! These are movies coming to the stores during the holidays on BD, 4K UHD, and even DVD. If you’re planning on picking something up, take a minute to peruse our recommendations and treat yourself and a loved one!
Also in the interest of full disclosure, please remember that when you purchase on Amazon through Cinema Crazed, a portion of the earnings go to the site, which allows us to maintain the site and keep it running. We’re also always accepting donations on Paypal.
KINO LORBER STUDIO CLASSICS
Buried Alive (1990) [Blu-Ray]
Frank Darabont’s revenge thriller has been out of print for a very long time and is now finally getting its due on Kino Lorber Blu-Ray. Tim Matheson plays a wealthy land owner and architect whose gold digging wife hopes to murder him and collect his wealth. When he barely survives her murder attempt and escapes being buried alive, he comes back to ensure revenge on his wife and her lover (Jennifer Jason Leigh and William Atherton). “Buried Alive” is a great TV movie marked by great performances by a stellar cast.
VINEGAR SYNDROME
Cemetery of Terror (1985) [Blu-Ray]
On Halloween night, a group of bored teenagers decide to pull a ghastly prank (as a means of getting lucky): stealing a corpse from the local morgue and taking it to a nearby cemetery where they perform a Satanic ritual in an attempt to bring it back to life. Unfortunately, they happen to choose the body of a savage serial killer who has just been shot dead by police, ending a recent spate of satanically influenced murders.
Unwittingly reviving the bloodthirsty sadist to the realm of the undead, the group of fun-seeking youngsters risks becoming dinner for the devil worshiping zombie. The release from Vinegar Syndrome includes brand new translated subtitles and a newly remastered version.
SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) (Limited Edition 4K UHD Steelbook)
Ang Lee’s classic martial arts fantasy set the stage for a new wave of action epics involving wires and masterful sword work from legend Yuen Wo Ping, that became the standard for years. Thankfully Lee’s film is still an absolute masterpiece with a rich cast of titans including Chow Yun Fat, Zhang Ziyi, and Michelle Yeoh respectively. This is a wonderful film that rocked the box office, and has been deservedly embraced by pop culture and movie buffs alike. The limited edition SteelBook includes the critically-acclaimed film on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray™.
SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT
El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (2020) (Limited Edition Steelbook Blu-Ray/DVD)
The long awaited epilogue to “Breaking Bad” follows Jessie Pinkman and his quest to find a new direction after barely escaping imprisonment from the Neo-Nazis that destroyed his life. Anxious to find a hidden stash of money which can ensure his freedom, he confronts old memories, and battles old demons. Funny, entertaining, and compelling, “El Camino” is a tight, and richly drawn crime thriller that brings back Aaron Paul, and features cameos by many of the original series’ co-stars and major players.
SCREAM! FACTORY
Friday the 13th Deluxe Edition Boxed Set [Blu-Ray]
Arguably the biggest release of the year that broke the Shout! Factory website comes in an amazing box set that fans of the series have been clamoring for, for years. Finally, all of the Friday the 13th films are included in one place, right down to the often omitted “Jason Goes to Hell,” “Jason X,” and the controversial 2009 remake. And yes, with the courts in limbo right now over the rights of the franchise, these are all of the Friday the 13th films, whether we like it or not. Filled with hours of extras, this excellent set includes new documentaries, interviews, and of course, includes every single Friday the 13th movie on restored Blu-Ray. All that’s left to complete the trinity is great “A Nightmare on Elm Street” set. Hint hint, Shout Factory.
CINEMA CRAZED
The Genesis Exiles [Kindle, Paperback]
If you’re starved for some superhero action, be sure to check out the new science fiction novel from Cinema Crazed founder Felix Vasquez. It involves two superhumans that break the number one rule of their squad. Now set up and on the run, they do battle with government agents, jet pack wearing soldiers, and even people that they once called friends. It’s fun, it’s action packed, and it makes great stocking stuffers!
SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Léon: The Professional (1994) (Limited Edition 4K UHD Steelbook)
The Luc Besson action classic is now available on Steelbook and upscaled to 4K for folks that are investing in the format. The 1994 film (and spiritual sequel to Besson’s “La Femme Nikita”) hasn’t aged a bit and is still quite the compelling action drama with Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, and Natalie Portman at their best. The limited edition SteelBook includes the fan-favorite film on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray™ and includes both the theatrical and extended versions.
WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT
The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy Giftset (Extended & Theatrical) (4K Ultra HD + Digital)
Peter Jackson’s timeless fantasy saga is now on 4K UHD in a massive set for folks that want to revisit the more truncated theatrical releases, or just want to spend their weekend watching the whole uncut epic that’s very close to JRR Tolkien’s literary vision. A massive cast of heavyweights like Ian McKellen, Christopher Lee, Sean Astin, Elijah Wood, and so many more, leads the trilogy of “The Fellowship of the Ring,” “The Two Towers” and “Return of the King,” while the set comes with various bells and whistles, including a replica of the one ring.
SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Resident Evil 4K UHD Film Set [Blu-ray]
The very, very loosely based “Resident Evil” movie series starring Milla Jovovich is brought to 4K UHD for collectors and fans of the series. This limited-edition gift set marks the first time that fans will be able to experience all six films on 4K Ultra HD disc with High Dynamic Range and Dolby Atmos audio. The films will also be available digitally in 4K with HDR. The RESIDENT EVIL 4K ULTRA HD COLLECTION will include Resident Evil, Resident Evil: Apocalypse (both the original theatrical version and an extended cut), Resident Evil: Extinction, Resident Evil: Afterlife, Resident Evil: Retribution and Resident Evil: The Final Chapter as well as hours of bonus content across all six films, including rare archival featurettes that have been previously unavailable on disc.
WARNER BROS.
Cartoon Network: Steven Universe: The Complete Collection (DVD)
The brilliant animated fantasy series comes to DVD for physical collectors giving you a chance to re-visit the adventures of young Steven and his trio of Crystal Gems guardians. “Steven Universe” is a wonderful amalgam of comedy, fantasy, action, mystery, and will absolutely mesmerize you if you’ve yet to check it out by now.
Included in the set is also the movie, and the twenty episode “Steven Universe Future” epilogue series. The set also comes packed with extras including The Movie Sing-A-Long, Steven Universe Mini-Sodes, Animatics, Commentary, Behind the Scenes Footage, and so much more.
CINEMA CRAZED
Super Schlock! : The Weird, Wild Superheroes of the 90’s [Paperback, Kindle]
There was once a time where studios and TV networks considered adapting superheroes risky, childish, and a huge waste of time. The nineties were filled with a stable of superhero movies and TV shows that came and went faster than the Flash. Felix Vasquez Jr’s. book look at most of the superheroes that showed up in the 1990’s long before superhero movies were nothing but pipe dreams for content starved comic book fanatics. Read about Meteor Man, MANTIS, Model by Day, and get lost in the 90’s schlock!
SCREAM! FACTORY
Tales from the Darkside: The Movie (1990) [Blu-Ray] – Scream Factory
The classic 1990 anthology horror film takes a lot of its inspiration from fairy tales, folklore, and Stephen King to deliver one menacing and eerie classic of the sub-genre. Starring Debbie Harry, Christian Slater, Steve Buscemi, and Rae Dawn Chong respectively, “Tales from the Darkside” is a great chiller about revenge, fate, and curses. If you want a classic in the vein of “Creepshow” this classic hasn’t aged a bit. If you’ve seen it already, check it out in its newly restored version from Scream Factory with brand new features.
SCREAM! FACTORY
Terror in the Aisles (1984) [Blu-Ray] – Scream Factory
Out of print for many years (and almost completely forgotten), “Scream Factory” brings the cult documentary “Terror in the Aisles” on to Blu-Ray for a new generation. The often buzzed about documentary is a look in to horror titles of the seventies and eighties (including “Scanners,” “Carrie,” and “The Howling”) and examines why certain movies scare us, and why horror movies continue to entrance us, even during very scary times. It’s a compelling documentary and considered one of the all time great horror documentaries ever released.
ARROW VIDEO
Tremors (1990) (2-Disc Limited Edition) [Blu-ray] – Arrow Video
Arrow video releases one of our favorite monster movies of the 90’s, the Kevin Bacon starring action horror film about burrowing giant worms that feast on humans in a small desert town. Still packed with action, laughs, and great creature effects, “Tremors” gets the royal treatment on Region Free 4K UHD and the standard Blu-Ray. Along with a restored and remastered version of “Tremors,” both sets come with a laundry list of extras, including new commentaries, new making of segments, and so much more.
SHOUT! FACTORY
Weathering With You (Limited Collector’s Edition) [4K/Blu-ray/CD] – Shout Factory
Makoto Shinkai’s magnificent new animated film Weathering With You will be getting the ultimate Collector’s Edition treatment this fall, after receiving glowing reviews from critics and theatrical audiences alike. Exclusive to the limited edition 4-disc set is the highest possible quality version of the film, in stunning 4K UHD™, as well as the full-length feature and standard bonus features on Blu-ray™, an additional Blu-ray™ disc dedicated to the feature-length documentary “The Making Of Weathering With You,” as well as the film’s soundtrack on CD, a 104-page perfect bound book, a mini poster, and decal sticker, all in a beautiful hard case designed for collectors.
Additional bonus features on the feature film’s Blu-ray™ disc include an interview with Director Makoto Shinkai, the “Weather Front” featurette, a talk show interview with Makoto Shinkai and journalist Yumiko Udo, director filmography featurette, and trailers & TV spots. The movie will also be available on Digital, and Steelbook.
GRAVITAS VENTURES
Wolfman’s Got Nards: A Documentary (2020) [Blu-ray] – Gravitas Ventures
Director Andre Gower’s long anticipated documentary chronicling the creation and legacy of “Monster Squad” is a fantastic look at how films can make people fall in love with them. Even box office failures like “Monster Squad.” Andre Gower delivers a loving, funny, sweet, heartbreaking, and engaging glimpse in to the “Monster Squad” fandom.
With respect, and good humor, he also tries to figure out why it’s garnered such a large and devoted fan base since its release on home video in the late eighties. Rabid fans of “Monster Squad” will be elated with what director Andre Gower presents to the legions of loyal Squad devotees.