Film School in a Box

Film School is expensive. Like, thousands of dollars and stuff. And even trying to teach yourself filmmaking will probably cost hundreds of dollars on cameras and editing software (although there are programs that allow you to edit video online...more on this tomorrow). But for only tens of dollars, there are DVDs out there that not only have the films you know and love, but the special features are so robust that you can learn a lot without ever leaving the comfort of your sofa. And at most film schools, you usually have to sit at a desk in an uncomfortable chair rather than on a comfy sofa.

So without further ado, here are a few DVDs you may want to check out:

Pearl Harbor (Three-Disc Vista Series) [yes, I know the film is terrible but these special features are top-of-the-line]
The Alien Quadrilogy
Clerks X
Fight Club (Special Edition)
Brazil (The Criterion Collection)
Die Hard (Special Edition) [There's a feature on this disc that actually lets you edit a scene from the film your own way!]
Hellboy (The Three-Disc Director's Cut)
Hot Fuzz (Three-Disc Collectors Edition)
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Extended Editions)

Basically, there are a handful of directors you can count on to give you a robust special edition: Michael Bay (I know, I know), Terry Gilliam, David Fincher, Robert Rodriguez (his book Rebel Without a Crew is a must-read for any indie filmmaker) who actually has a "Ten-Minute Film School" extra on almost all of his films.

You don't have to buy all of these but these are features beyond fluff and you should break out your notepad if you want to learn some valuable lessons without having to pay for an application fee.

The Weekly Buy - April 17th

As we continue to redesign our website, we want stay in touch with our readers and so we'll be providing weekly recommendations on what movies deserve your hard-earned cash. This week, there are two DVDs that deserve your attention and one film opening in theatres.

The first DVD you need to buy is Juno. Winner of the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, Juno was an indie smash at the box office, making over $140 million dollars. The film received almost universal acclaim, especially for its star, 21-year-old Ellen Page. Juno is whip-smart and if you can get past the first 15 minutes (which are good but uneven), you're not going to regret having this in your collection.

The other DVD that warrants your attention is Lars and the Real Girl. A premise that could have quickly been too quirky for its own good, Ryan Gosling and an excellent supporting cast create a heartwarming film about finding love in the most unconventional of ways. It's a funny, sweet, and lovely film and was one of my favorites of last year.

If you're heading out to the theater this weekend, you should catch Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Billed as a "Breakup Disaster Movie", Forgetting is like a lot of the other films from Lord Judd Apatow, who was also behind Knocked Up and Superbad. It's raunchy but honest and it's a date movie that guys will actually enjoy and so will their girlfriends if their girlfriends are cool. If she doesn't like Apatow's films, then she wasn't the one for you.

5 Holiday Films That Are Actually Good

The holidays are a time of rejoicing where we can all gather and celebrate the birth of Santa. When it comes to films that are set during this time of ultimate materialism (and I say that with no negativity because I love getting stuff as much as the next guy who also likes getting stuff), they tend to fall into two categories: using the holidays as a backdrop for dark comedy or to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas, whatever that may be (something about peace on Earth and goodwill towards Best Buy).

So in the spirit of the holidays (I don't know why I keep using the plural; it's not like any of the films celebrate Hanukkah), here are five films that will get you in the Christmas spirit or at least give you a reason to get away from your family for a couple hours when you're not watching a football game.

5. It's A Wonderful Life (1946) d. Frank Capra

Admit it: you're charmed by Jimmy Stewart. If you weren't, Vertigo wouldn't be half as disturbing (okay, it probably would, but his casting is just perfect). The film has been parodied countless times, namely the whole "My Life Without Me" part and how a good man shouldn't try to kill himself just because he's had a horrible day. But I would love to see an alternate version where Clarence decides to show Mr. Potter his life and that persuades the mean old cripple to wheel himself into oncoming traffic. Or change his ways. Whichever is more Capra-esque.

All sarcasm aside, it is a heartwarming film and the only one on the list that doesn't feature the dark comedy I feel is necessary override the empty sentimentality inherent in so many of these films.

4. Scrooged (1988) d. Richard Donner

Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol is also an endlessly parodied story but never has it been applied to our modern world as wonderfully as it has with Scrooged. There's media criticism, Bill Murray at his comedic best, and a fantastic supporting cast. If you're not struggling to breath by the hilarity of Cross' advertisement for A Christmas Carol, then you don't have a sense of humor and that's too bad.

3. Die Hard (1988) d. John McTiernan

Granted, this film has a reputation more for other elements than its Christmas-time setting, but it's one that's important to the film. It explains why Nakatomi Tower is so deserted. It provides a great comedic moment as Reginald VelJohnson sings a happy Christmas song only to have his car smashed by a dead henchman. And who can forget sending another dead henchman down the elevator with, written in his own blood, "Now I Have a Machine Gun. Ho Ho Ho" If that doesn't sum up what the holidays are all about, I don't know what does.

2. The Ref (1994) d. Ted Demme

After the presents, and the lights, and the snow, and the tree, the most important part of Christmas is spending time with family. And no film nails how excruciating an exercise that can be than the overlooked comedic gem of The Ref. Being held hostage by Denis Leary can really help repair a failing marriage and put a vile matriarch in her place. Sure, there are a couple of distracting Leary-rants, but the real comedic talent in this film is Kevin Spacey, who says what every put upon child has wanted to say to their mother during the holidays: "You know what I'm going to get you next Christmas, Mom? A big wooden cross, so that every time you feel unappreciated for your sacrifices, you can climb on up and nail yourself to it." That's just heartwarming.

1. Bad Santa (2003) d. Terry Zwigoff

The last film on our list is incredibly raunchy but also extremely heartwarming. That's the beauty of Christmas. It can bring those two polar extremes together. Then again, that may just be the beauty of Billy Bob Thorton. While I don't think it's fair to cast Bernie Mac and Tony Cox as such unlikable fellows, Thorton ain't no saint either. But in a cast full of unlikable people, it is possible to find redemption and comedy. And isn't that why Santa died for our sins?

If you have been offended by this list, just remember: Christmas is a time for forgiveness so please no angry e-mails. I love you.