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 members of the whole family, with movies rated G through PG-13. 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 Paw Patrol Movie (2021)
• BUY IT: Blu-ray, DVD
• VIDEOS: Trailer, Behind The Scenes Cast Featurette, Adam Levine "Good Mood" Lyric Video, Alessia Cara "The Use in Trying" Lyric Video, Alessia Cara Featurette.
• SYNOPSIS: When their rival, Humdinger, becomes Mayor of nearby Adventure City and starts wreaking havoc, Ryder and the heroic pups kick into high gear to face the most challenging mission of their PAW Patrol careers. Along the way, the team finds help from a new ally, the savvy dachshund Liberty, and together the PAW Patrol fights to save the citizens of Adventure City! Can the PAW Patrol save the city before it's too late? After all, no city's too big, no pup's too small!
• SPECIAL FEATURES: A Totally Paw-Some Team (6:02) - An introduction to the main characters and the tools that help them save the day. ACN: Adventure City News Reports with Marty Muckraker (1:57) - The film's news reporter looks at Chase's story as it's told in the film. Paw Patrol: The Movie Lyric Video (Reimagined Theme) (1:38) - Performed by The Math Club.
• RATING: G.
• NOTES: Although I never seen the Paw Patrol television show (I'm WAY past the target audience's age range), the trailers made the film look cute, and I don't regret checking it out. It's heartwarming and fun, with bright colorful animation, and isn't the mindless cash grab that you may initially perceive it to be. It's fun for all ages. If I had any complaints, it's that the music videos and featurettes found online (see Videos section above) were not included on the disc. The Blu-ray includes a slipsleeve and digital copy code voucher. Some additional videos and images can be found on the Paramount Publicity website.
• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Paramount for review on this site.


Wonder (2017)
• BUY IT: Blu-ray Steelbook (Target), 4K UHD, Blu-ray, DVD
• VIDEOS: Trailer
• SYNOPSIS: Based on the beloved best-selling novel by R. J. Palacio, Wonder follows the inspiring story of the Pullman family, whose youngest child, Auggie (Jacob Tremblay), is a boy born with facial differences. When Auggie enters mainstream elementary school for the first time, his extraordinary journey unites his family, his school, and his community, and proves that you can't blend in when you were born to stand out.
• SPECIAL FEATURES: Audio Commentary with Stephen Chbosky and R.J. Palacio. Summer of Fun (57:44) - Offers five featurettes: "A (Com)passion Project", "Family Matters", "A Technical Wonder", "A Note of Kindness", and "We All Deserve A Standing Ovation At Least Once In Our Lives". A Child's Sense of Wonder (13:23) - Focuses on some of the younger members of the cast. What a Wonderful World (12:34) - Deals with location scouting in Vancouver, which was doubling for New York City. "Brand New Eyes" Music Video (3:26). Theatrical Trailers (3:14). Wonder Soundtrack Behind the Scenes (3:57) - Marketing for the soundtrack album.
• RATING: PG for thematic elements including bullying, and some mild language.
• NOTES: Although this is the same Blu-ray disc that was originally released back in 2018, the Steelbook is new. It's actually pretty cool. I think the "writing" and "drawings" on it might glow in the dark. The Steelbook includes a digital copy code voucher.
• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Lionsgate for review on this site.


Legend (1985)
• BUY IT: 2-Disc Blu-ray, Old Universal Blu-ray, Universal DVD
• VIDEOS: Trailer, Bryan Ferry "Is Your Love Strong Enough?" Music Video
• SYNOPSIS: In an idyllic, sun-dappled forest, the pure-hearted Jack (Tom Cruise) takes his true love Princess Lili (Mia Sara) to see a pair of unicorns frolicking at the forest's edge. Little do they know, however, that the Lord of Darkness (Tim Curry) has dispatched his minions to capture the unicorns and sever their horns so that he may plunge the world into everlasting night. After Lili and the unicorns are taken prisoner, Jack must team with a group of forest creatures and descend into Darkness' subterranean lair to face off against the devilish creature before it is too late.
• SPECIAL FEATURES: THEATRICAL CUT: Audio Commentary with Paul M. Sammon. Isolated Music Score by Tangerine Dream. Isolated Music and Effects Track. Remembering a Legend (30:45). The Music of Legend, Part One: Jerry Goldsmith (15:12). The Music of Legend, Part Two: Tangerine Dream (13:09). The Creatures of Legend, Part One: Inside the Illustrations (10:28). The Creatures of Legend, Part Two: Inside the Make-Up Effects (16:15). Incarnations of a Legend (20:47) - Examines the various versions of the film. The Directors: Ridley Scott (58:33) - An archival documentary from 2003 about the director. Television Version Opening (1:26). "Is Your Love Strong Enough?" Music Video (5:23) - Performed by Bryan Ferry. DIRECTOR'S CUT: Audio Commentary with Ridley Scott. Creating a Myth: Memories of Legend (51:03). Original Featurette (9:44) - An archival piece sourced from a VHS copy. Lost Scenes: Includes "Alternate Opening: Four Goblins" (10:35) and "The Fairie Dance" (3:06). Storyboards - Includes "Intro/Three Goblins" (1:53), "Lili and the Unicorns" (1:36), "Mortal World Turned to Ice" (1:40), "Jack and the Fairies" (2:45), "Find the Mare, Lose the Alicorn" (1:54), "Jack's Challenge" (3:45), "Meg Mucklebones and the Great Tree" (1:28), and "Downfall of Darkness" (1:40). Alternate Footage (9:00). Screenplay Drafts - Includes "First Draft" and "Shooting Script" text. US Theatrical Trailer 1 (1:24). US Theatrical Trailer 2 (1:13). International Trailer (1:52). US TV Spots (2:11). Image Galleries - Includes "Production Stills", "Continuity Polaroids", and "Poster & Video Art".
• RATING: PG.
• NOTES: This two-disc set includes the Theatrical Cut (1:29:29) on one disc and the Director's Cut (1:53:27) on the other. Also included is an illustrated perfect-bound book with new writing by Nicholas Clement and Kat Ellinger and archive materials including production notes and a 2002 interview with Charles de Lauzirika about the restoration of the Director's Cut. Large double-sided poster with newly commissioned artwork by Neil Davies and original theatrical artwork by John Alvin. Glossy full-color portraits of the cast photographed by Annie Leibovitz. Six double-sided postcard-sized lobby card reproductions. The reversible case liner features newly commissioned artwork by Neil Davies on one side and the original theatrical artwork by John Alvin on the other.
• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Arrow Video for review on this site.


Christmas in the Rockies (2020)
• BUY IT: DVD
• VIDEOS: Trailer #1, Trailer #2
• SYNOPSIS: Katie Jolly (Kimberly-Sue Murray) is about to leave her small Colorado town for a dream job at a law firm in New York City. But when her father is involved in a logging accident, she must put her dreams on hold to stay to help run the family business. With their company in jeopardy, Katie decides to enter the annual holiday lumberjack competition to win the prize to save the failing business. As Katie works tirelessly to train for the contest, romance sparks with fellow competitor Harrison (Stephen Huszar). When New York comes calling again, it forces Katie to choose between the contest, her heart, and her job. But with the help of a little Christmas magic, Katie just might get her happy ending.
• SPECIAL FEATURES: None.
• RATING: Not Rated (would be PG if rated).
• NOTES: This is a Hallmark Channel-esque romantic comedy Christmas film. If you've seen one of those "comfort food" types of movies, you'll know what to expect here. The leads make for a cute couple, though what caught my interest was former wrestler Trish Stratus as Marie Brown.
• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Mill Creek Entertainment for review on this site.


Josie and the Pussycats (2001)
• BUY IT: Blu-ray, DVD
• VIDEOS: Trailer, "3 Small Words" Music Video, "Backdoor Lover" Music Video, "Dujour Around the World" Music Video.
• SYNOPSIS: Hot newcomers Josie (Rachael Leigh Cook), Melody (Tara Reid), and Val (Rosario Dawson) are three small-town musicians with big dreams but little future. Then fate gives the Pussycats the chance of a lifetime when manager Wyatt (Alan Cumming) of MegaRecords signs them overnight to an awesome recording contract. Suddenly, Josie and the Pussycats are living life in the fast lane with sold-out concerts, a number one single and global stardom. But it's not all limousines and private jets. The Pussycats soon discover they're being played like pawns in an evil plot by the record label's maniacal CEO Fiona (Parker Posey) to control the youth of America.
• SPECIAL FEATURES: Audio Commentary with directors Deborah Kaplan & Harry Elfont, and producer Marc Platt. Backstage Pass (23:51). Behind the Scenes (22:45). Deleted Scenes (4:04) - Includes three scenes, individually chaptered. Josie and the Pussycats "3 Small Words" Music Video (2:54). Dujour "Backdoor Lover" Music Video (3:43). Dujour "Dujour Around the World" Music Video (2:59). Theatrical Trailer (2:28).
• RATING: PG-13 for language and mild sensuality.
• NOTES: This is the PG-13 version with the "Honk if you like..." joke in the beginning credits montage (at 8:48 after the shot of Melody with the iguana). The original Josie and the Pussycats animated series is available on Blu-ray and 2-Disc DVD (avoid the re-authored re-compressed 3-Disc DVD set in the red case). The Josie and the Pussycats in Outer Space animated series is available on Blu-ray and MOD DVD.
• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Mill Creek Entertainment for review on this site.


The Outsiders: The Complete Novel (1983/2003)
• BUY IT: 4K UHD, Blu-ray, DVD
• VIDEOS: Theatrical Trailer, The Complete Novel Trailer
• SYNOPSIS: The Outsiders takes place in 1960s Oklahoma, centering on two rival teen gangs: The "Greasers," a class term that refers to the young men on the East Side, the poor side of town, and the "Socs," short for Socials, who are the "West-side rich kids." Ponyboy (C. Thomas Howell), a tender-hearted and kind teenager's life is changed forever one night when a scuffle with his friend Johnny (Ralph Macchio) inadvertently leads to the death of a rival gang member, and the boys are forced to go into hiding to avoid arrest. Soon Ponyboy and Johnny, along with Dallas (Matt Dillon) and their other Greaser buddies, must contend with the consequences of their violent lives. While some Greasers try to achieve redemption, others meet tragic ends.
• SPECIAL FEATURES: The Complete Novel includes two exclusive commentaries: Audio Commentary #1 with director Francis Ford Coppola. Audio Commentary #2 with five "Greasers" (Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio, C. Thomas Howell, Patrick Swayze, and Rob Lowe) and a "Soc" (Diane Lane). An Introduction to The Complete Novel with Francis Ford Coppola (11:48). Restoring The Outsiders (19:00) - An in-depth discussion about the creation of "The Complete Novel". Staying Gold: A look Back at The Outsiders (26:27) - Interviews with the commentary participants on the making of the film, and a look at the 2003 reunion at Coppola's Napa Valley home, where the group commentary was recorded. Outsider Looking In (7:51) - Francis Ford Coppolla discusses several key moments from the film. Stephen H. Burum on The Outsiders (12:31) - The film's cinematographer shares personal memories of the film's production. Stephen H. Barum on The Outsiders (12:31) - The cinematographer reflects on some of his favorite moments from the film and working with Coppola. This interview is exclusive to the Complete Novel disc. Old House New Home (11:04) - Original author S.E. Hinton, Danny Boy O'Connor (owner of The Outsiders House Museum), and a few enthusiastic fans talk about the film. On Location in Tulsa with S.E. Hinton (7:35) - Author Susan E. Hinton takes viewers on a tour of the Tulsa locations where the film was made and shares memories of her participation. Screen Tests and Auditions: Fred Roos and The Casting of The Outsiders (13:59) - Roos describes his work with Coppola, and cast members recall the unique audition process, but the highlight are the excerpts from audition tapes of actors who weren't cast: Helen Slater, Kate Capshaw, Anthony Michael Hall, and Adam Baldwin. Cast Readings (7:25) - In 2003, members of the cast read excerpts from the novel. Deleted Scenes (14:44) - The eight scenes are: "Pony Gets Jumped and Dallas Gets Released", "Pony, Johnny, and Dallas at the Diner" (new in HD), "Pony, Johnny, and Dallas at the Rexall Store" (new in HD), "We're Disguised (1983 Version)", "Fugitives in the Church", "The Curtis Brothers Reunited", "Pony and Dallas Visit Johnny" (title edited to avoid spoilers), and "Pony Calls His Teacher (Early Cut)". 1983 Theatrical Trailer (1:10) - This is exclusive to the Theatrical Cut disc. 2005 Re-Release Trailer (2:01) - This is exclusive to the Complete Novel disc. 2021 Re-Release Trailer (1:10).
• RATING: PG (Theatrical Cut), PG-13 (Complete Novel Cut) for violence, teen drinking and smoking, and some sexual reference.
• NOTES: The two-disc 4K release includes includes The Complete Novel [Director's Cut] (1:54:54) on one disc and the Theatrical Cut (1:31:40) on the other. The 4K release also includes a digital copy code voucher, but does not include a slipsleeve. For a comparison between the Theatrical and Complete Novel cuts, check out the Movie Censhorship report. Do note that the "Fresno Book to Film" (4:43) 1983 clip from NBC's Today Show that appeared on the 2014 Blu-ray was not ported over to this release, despite being mentioned on the press release. I guess Warner Brothers didn't renew their rights to the clip.
• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Warner Brothers 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.