The Corner Penthouse

Looking for a last minute holiday gift for your video-loving family or friends? Well, let me run down a few items that have come out in the past few months that would be perfect for the person who loves Comedy movies. This is in addition to all of the items I've reviewed recently that would also make for great gifts. Let's take a quick look at these recently-released titles...

All of the items below have already been released and are available for purchase from Amazon at the links provided. The Corner Penthouse will earn a very tiny commission from your purchase using these links.


The Break-Up (2006) / The Dilemma (2011)
• BUY IT: Blu-ray
• VIDEOS: The Break-Up Trailer, The Dilemma Trailer
• SYNOPSIS: THE BREAK-UP - After two years together, Gary (Vince Vaughn) and Brooke's (Jennifer Aniston) relationship seems to have taken a comical wrong turn on the way to happily ever after. Now the break-up is on, the lines have been drawn, and their honest feelings for each other are coming out. Get ready for an all-out war of the exes in this fun date movie that's hilarious and heartfelt. THE DILEMMA - When Ronny (Vince Vaughn) sees the wife of best mate Nick (Kevin James) kissing another man he makes it his mission to get answers. As his investigation dissolves into comic mayhem and crazy farce, Ronny learns Nick has a few little secrets of his own!
• SPECIAL FEATURES: None.
• NOTES: It should be noted that both films were previously released individually on Blu-ray by Universal - The Break-Up (2006) and The Dilemma (2011). Each of those releases has a lot of special features, so if you're into that, and can afford them, go with those Blu-rays. If you only want the movies for a cheap price, then this Vince Vaughn Double Feature will fit the bill.
• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Mill Creek Entertainment for review on this site.


For Richer or Poorer (1997)
• BUY IT: Blu-ray, DVD
• VIDEOS: Trailer
• SYNOPSIS: An unhappily married Manhattan socialite couple (Tim Allen, Kirstie Alley) flee from the IRS and end up in Amish country where they pretend to be visiting relatives.
• SPECIAL FEATURES: Trailer (2:14).
• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Mill Creek Entertainment for review on this site.


L.A. Story (1991)
• BUY IT: Blu-ray, 15th Anniv DVD, Orig 1999 Artisan Letterbox DVD
• VIDEOS: Trailer
• SYNOPSIS: Being in a magical city with predictably pleasant weather can make the life of a meteorologist seem monotonous. When TV weatherman Harris Telemacher (Steve Martin) begins receiving secret messages from an electronic freeway sign, he leaves his longtime girlfriend Trudi (Marilu Henner) and embarks on a frivolous romance with vapid, young model Sandee (Sarah Jessica Parker), which ultimately leads him to true love with the woman of his dreams , Sara McDowel (Victoria Tennant).
• SPECIAL FEATURES: 02BINLA: Mick Jackson's L.A. Stories (23:58) - A new interview with Mick Jackson. The Story of L.A. Story (12:34) - An archival featurette with some candid footage and interviews. The L.A. of L.A. Story (15:33) - Another archival piece with Lawrence Miller, production designer, touring some of the film's locations. Deleted Scenes and Outtakes (20:51). 1991 E.P.K. (5:40). Teaser Trailer (1:48). Theatrical Trailer (1:18). TV Spots (4:14).
• NOTES: Includes a slipsleeve and digital copy code voucher. Do note that the 1991 EPK included here is the same edited version of the EPK that was on the 15th Anniversary DVD. When compared to the unedited version on the 1999 Artisan DVD, 40 seconds were removed: at 0:42, clips from Roxanne and producer Daniel Melnick (8sec); at 2:26, clip of Harris and Sandee having dinner and a short Sarah Jessica Parker interview clip (32sec); at 5:07, replaces b-roll clip of Steve Martin and Sarah Jessica Parker with b-roll footage from a different scene (6sec). The edited EPK also adds caption text over the interview clips. Also, the 1999 Artisan DVD contains several vintage interview clips as Easter Eggs that were not ported over to this Blu-ray or the 15th Anniversary DVD. Of course, that 1999 Artisan DVD presented the film in 4:3 Letterbox, so the only value in it is for the special features. Judging by the info on DVD Compare, the German Region-B Blu-ray from Koch contains the unedited EPK and the complete vintage interview clips. You will need a region-free 4K UHD Blu-ray player or a region-free Blu-ray player if you want to play it.
• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Lionsgate for review on this site.


The Happy Hooker Goes Hollywood (1980)
• BUY IT: Blu-ray
• VIDEOS: Trailer
• SYNOPSIS: The third chapter in the Happy Hooker Trilogy, following 1975's The Happy Hooker (starring Lynn Redgrave) and 1977's The Happy Hooker Goes to Washington (starring Joey Heatherton). The movies are based on a best-selling memoir by Xaviera Hollander, who cashed in on the sexual revolution, sharing tales of lust, love, and financial transactions, fueling fantasies for those on the outside of the prostitution business. Martine Beswick takes over as Xaviera for The Happy Hooker Goes Hollywood, which moves the series into the 1980s, bringing with it a farcical tone and strange supporting cast of television talents from the 1960s. When Xaviera Hollander (Beswick), now a best-selling author, has Tinseltown calling with a less-than-savory offer for her book, she flexes her independent spirit, deciding to film the movie herself! This sexy comedy also stars Adam West, Phil Silvers, Chris Lemmon, Richard Deacon, and Dick Miller, with special guest appearances by Edie Adams and Army Archerd.
• SPECIAL FEATURES: Interview With Martine Beswick (13:09). Interview With Chris Lemmon (13:05). Original Theatrical Trailer (1:54). There is also a Trailer Compilation of movies featuring the same actors or from the same era as the main feature: Act of Vengeance (Rape Squad) (1974) (1:59), Bucktown (1975) (2:18), California Dreaming (1979) (0:32), Johnny Cool (1963) (2:19), Lone Wolf McQuade (1983) (2:21), and The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane (1976) (2:03).
• NOTES: To my knowledge, the previous two films - The Happy Hooker (1975) and The Happy Hooker Goes to Washington (1977) - are only available on DVD as part of a Trilogy set. From what DVD Compare says, the first film is 4:3 Letterbox, while the second is anamorphic widescreen. There are individual DVD releases of the first two films that may or may not play on U.S. players: The Happy Hooker (1975) and The Happy Hooker Goes to Washington (1977). (Again, if you have a region-free player, you'll be able to play them without issue.)
• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Scorpion Releasing for review on this site.

If you're looking for more gift ideas, check out all of the other items I've reviewed recently. I review a variety of items, so I'm sure you'll find something quite suitable for your friends and family, or maybe even yourself. Yeah, why not treat yourself this holiday season.