MovieMonkeys Christmas Gift Guide

CLASSICS & RE-ISSUES

2009 brought us a bumper crop of re-issues as most big studios finally realised that Blu-Ray was here to stay and started to bring out the crown jewels in glorious hi-def. Some came short of expectations, but on the other hand some were simply fabulous, like out winner below! We also got some films that had inexplicably never been released on DVD before finally seeing light of day. About time too! THE WINNER: Monkey Score: 85% What we loved about it: 1. It looks like a million dollars in hi-def 2. The indians are the good guys 3. It's a great western Dances With Wolves (Cert. 15, out 16 November) Kevin Costner, Graham Greene, Mary McDonnell, dir. Kevin Costner, Cert. 15 What it's about: Lieutenant John Dunbar, a Civil War hero, gets posted out to the desolate Fort Sedgwick. He soon becomes acquainted with the local Sioux tribe, and learns that they're far from the brutal savages the army painted them as. His new friends makes him quite unpopular with the military, who consider him a fugitive and deserter, and go after him, endangering the whole tribe in the process. What MovieMonkeys thought: Kevin Costner's directorial debut received both public and critical acclaim when first released in 1990. The Frontier epic, clocking in at just under four hours, is a perfect example of what Blu Ray can do for a visually striking piece of film. The transfer is spotless and ensure you won't miss any of the painstakingly beautiful landscapes of the Wild West, while the HD treatment brings the picture to life with an amazing level of detail. The film hasn't aged and is still as powerful as when it first hit the screens. It manages to provide a glimpse at the daily life of Sioux Indians while the story unfolds in front of a stunning backdrop. Dances With Wolves is most definitely worth shelling out for on Blu Ray. Stunning picture, what Blu Ray was invented for.		THE RUNNERS-UP: Gambit (Cert. U, out 30 November) Michael Caine, Shirley MacLaine, Herbert Lom, John Abbot, dir. Ronald Neame, 1966, cert. U Monkey Score: 80% Gambit was Michael Caine's very first American film. Coming to DVD in the UK for the first time on Monday 30 November, Gambit is a bit of a forgotten gem. The theatrical posters at the time claimed "Go ahead tell the end (it's too hilarious to keep secret!) but please don't tell the beginning!". Indeed the beginning of the film is a bit special - suffice to say that you will wait close to half an hour before Shirley MacLaine utters her first lines. That's all we're prepared to reveal at this stage: we can tell you its good and really should be seen. We won't tell you anything about the end either, but there are more than a few twists in store as the heist story unfolds. The film came out the same year as Alfie, and indeed Michael Caine was nominated for both performances at the 1966 Golden Globes. A very well crafted heist movie - a classic Michael Caine that begs to be rediscovered. The Grinch (Cert. PG) Jim Carrey, dir. Ron Howard, 2000, cert. PG Monkey Score: 80% The Grinch makes its Blu-Ray debut as a 2-disc DVD and Blu-Ray set. We were only sent the Blu-Ray review disc, so couldn't compare the two formats - but from the disc we've seen it's looking good. Rick Baker, the Oscar-winning make-up effects behind The American Werewolf In London and Michael Jackson's Thriller video, takes credit for the unrecognisable Jim Carrey. The actor excels in this very theatrical role, playing Dr Seuss' much-loved anti-hero with just the right amount of camp. The works of Dr Seuss' are absolute kids classics in America, yet weren't that well-known over here until the film came out in 2000: Ron Howard has managed to deliver a very enjoyable film that will delight the whole family whether fans of the book or Seuss virgins.