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 been recently released that would be perfect for the person who loves physical video media. There are movies, animation, collections, television seasons, and even a few complete TV series sets...

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.



• BUY IT: 4K UHD, Blu-ray.

• SYNOPSIS: Former heroes have seemingly become targets. The Comedian (Rick D. Wasserman) has been murdered, the all-powerful Dr. Manhattan (Michael Cerveris) has been exiled to Mars, an assassination attempt has been made on Ozymandias (Troy Baker), and the outlaw vigilante Rorschach (Titus Welliver) has been arrested. Suspicious of the events ensnaring their former colleagues, Nite Owl (Matthew Rhys) and Silk Spectre (Katee Sackhoff) are spurred out of retirement to investigate. As they grapple with personal ethics, inner demons and a society turned against them, they race the clock to uncover a deepening plot that might trigger global nuclear war.

• SPECIAL FEATURES: All of the content below can be found on the UHD disc.

• Dave Gibbons and Watchmen: Endgame (7:16) - Artist/co-creator Dave Gibbons, along with comic editor Barbara Kesel, DC head honcho Jim Lee, and director/producer Brandon Vietti, offer their thoughts on the series' themes and legacy.
• The Art of Adaptation: Building to the Final Act (10:05) - A discussion of the visual aesthetics of this book-to-screen adaptation.
• Designing Watchmen (22:01) - Everyone talks about the film's world-building, characters, and costume designs.

• RATING: R for bloody violence, sexuality, graphic nudity and some language.

• NOTES: An excellent follow-up to Part 1 makes this one of the best adaptations of Watchmen to date. See my review of Part 1 for links to buy that part (there is no two-part collection) and all of the previous adaptations.

• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Warner Brothers for review on this site.



• BUY IT: 4K UHD, 4K UHD Steelbook, Blu-ray, DVD.

• SYNOPSIS: Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) has been institutionalized at Arkham awaiting trial for his crimes as Joker. While struggling with his dual identity, Arthur not only stumbles upon true love, Harleen "Lee" Quinzel (Lady Gaga), but also finds the music that's always been inside him.

• SPECIAL FEATURES: All of the content below can be found on the UHD disc.

• Everything Must Go (44:05) - This four-part documentary - divided into "Can I Have a Cigarette?", "Finding Lee", "A Hundred Films in One", and "King of Nothing" - features members of the cast and crew discussing the characters, themes, and more.
• The Character of Music (8:20) - Lady Gaga and others members talk about the dance numbers.
• Crafted with Class (7:21) - Joaquin Pheonix, Lady Gaga, and others talk about the set design and production.
• Colors of Madness (6:22) - Director Todd Phillips and others discuss the film's deliberate use of color.
• Live! With The Joker (5:16) - Animator Sylvain Chomet talks about the opening cartoon.

• RATING: R for some strong violence, language throughout, some sexuality, and brief full nudity.

• NOTES: Although I had heard lots of bad things about this film, I went into it with an open mind. I don't think it is as bad as everyone was saying, but man, oh, man does the way-too-numerous musical numbers drag down a film that already runs for OVER two hours! A few of the songs work in the story's favor, but most do not. So, in the end, you have a film that is part prison drama, part courtroom drama, and part jukebox musical - and those parts don't really work well together. The first Joker (reviewed here) was better.

• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Warner Brothers for review on this site.



• BUY IT: 4K UHD, Blu-ray, DVD.

• SYNOPSIS: Paris, Texas follows the mysterious, nearly mute drifter Travis (Harry Dean Stanton) as he tries to reconnect with his young son, living with his brother (Dean Stockwell) in Los Angeles, and his missing wife (Nastassja Kinski).

• SPECIAL FEATURES: All of the content below can be found on the Blu-ray disc. Only the commentary can be found on the UHD disc.

• Audio Commentary - with director Wim Wenders.
• Wim Wenders (28:59) - An archival interview with Wim Wenders, conducted by German journalist Roger Willemsen in 2001. Presented in German, with optional English subtitles.
• The Road to Paris, Texas (42:42) - This documentary features archival interviews from 1989 with Wim Wenders, cinematographer Robby Muller, composer Ry Cooder, actors Harry Dean Stanton, Peter Falk, Dennis Hopper, and Hanns Zischler, director Samuel Fuller, author Patricia Highsmith, and film critic Kraft Wetzel.
• Claire Denis (20:28) - First assistant director Claire Denis talks with critic Kent Jones in this interview that was filmed in October 2009.
• Allison Anders (25:15) - Production assistant Allison Anders talks with critic Kent Jones in this interview that was filmed in October 2009. Allison reads from the diary she kept during the film's production.
• Cinema Cinemas (12:20) - A segment from the French television program Cinema Cinemas featuring Wim Wenders and Ry Cooder working on the score for the film.
• Deleted Scenes (23:38) - This collection of deleted scenes can be viewed with an optional commentary by Wim Wenders.
• Super 8 (7:00) - This Super 8 footage is set to music, but there is also an alternate audio track feature Harry Dean Stanton's monologue from the film.
• Written in the West - A still gallery of photos from director Wim Wenders' journey through Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and California in 1983.
• Robin Holland - A still gallery of behind the scenes photos taken by Robin Holland.
• Trailer (2:13)

• RATING: R.

• NOTES: As is usual with Criterion releases, also included is an illustrated booklet featuring an essay by film critic Nick Roddick; interviews with Harry Dean Stanton, Sam Shepard, Nastassja Kinski, and Dean Stockwell; and excerpts from Wim Wenders' book of photos Written in the West; and technical credits.

• CREDIT: This item has been provided by The Criterion Collection for review on this site.



• BUY IT: 4K UHD Steelbook, Blu-ray, DVD.

• SYNOPSIS: Tom Witzky (Kevin Bacon) is a blue-collar worker, a family man, the most ordinary guy in the world... who is about to be plunged into a shattering encounter with another world. And it doesn't matter that Tom doesn't believe in the supernatural. Because something supernatural has started to believe in Tom. After he is hypnotized at a neighborhood party, Tom changes. He sees things he can't explain and hears voices he can't ignore. As the horrific visions intensify, Tom realizes they are pieces of a puzzle, echoes of a crime calling out to be solved. But when his other-worldly nightmares begin coming true, Tom wants out. He desperately tries to rid himself of his eerie, unwanted powers - only to be seized by an irresistible compulsion to dig deeper and deeper into the mystery that is consuming his life. When at last he unearths the truth, it will draw him into the long-buried secret of a ghastly crime, a vengeful spirit... and the lethal price of laying that spirit to rest.

• SPECIAL FEATURES: All of the content below can be found on the UHD disc, which includes two new featurettes, several ported over from Via Vision's Australian 2021 Blu-ray, and all of the old 2004 DVD content. The Blu-ray disc, which dates back to 2006(!), only contains the commentary, "Sights of Spirits" featurette, and the deleted scenes.

• Audio Commentary - with director David Koepp.
• Visions of the Past: Making Stir of Echoes (17:39) - A new 2024 retrospective with some good interviews with director David Koepp.
• Establishing Shot with Fred Murphy (8:22) - A new 2024 profile of the film's director of photography.
• Flipping the Switch: Directing Stir of Echoes (17:28) - This is a 2021 interview with director David Koepp.
• Maggie's Memories: Inside Stir of Echoes (11:14) - This is a 2021 interview with actress Kathryn Erbe.
• Opening the Door: Designing Stir of Echoes (15:59) - This is a 2021 interview with production designer Nelson Coates.
• Sights of Spirits: Channeling the Paranormal (10:36) - This is a 2004 interview with field parapsychologist Dr. Larry Montz.
• Behind the Echoes (21:03) - This 2004 featurette examines the conception and production of the film.
• The Mind's Eye: Beneath the Trance (10:22) - This 2004 featurette focuses on Tom's transformation in the film and the exact manner in which his mind is "unlocked".
• Special Effects (3:52) - In this 2004 featurette, director David Koepp, executive producer Michele Weisler, production designer Nelson Coates, and visual effects supervisor Casey Cannon discuss the special effects and visualization of the ghost in the film.
• Production Design (3:52) - In this 2004 featurette, production designer Nelson Coates and executive producer Michele Weisler discuss the important role the city of Chicago plays in the film.
• Interviews with Cast and Crew (8:18) - This is a collection of interviews from 2004 with David Koepp, Kevin Bacon, Illeana Douglas, Kathryn Erbe, producer Gavin Polone, and executive producer Michele Weisler.
• Behind the Scenes (5:53) - Raw footage from the shoot, copyright 2004.
• Scene Comparisons (11:32) - A comparison between final footage and some raw footage showing David Koepp directing, copyright 2004.
• Screen Tests (6:46)
• Deleted Scenes (4:53) - A collection of four scenes in standard definition.
• Original Promo (4:48)
• Original Short Promo (2:21)
• Theatrical Trailer (1:31)
• TV Spots (2:03) - A collection of four spots.
• "Breathe" Original Music Video (4:26) - Performed by Moist.

• RATING: R for violence, sexuality and language.

• NOTES: A beautiful lenticular slipcover fits a bit too tightly over a Steelbook case, which features Tom in red and a "vision" lurking behind him in gray on the front cover. The back cover of the Steelbook shows a red-tinged lightbulb flanked by the side of Tom's head in silhouette. The inside panels offer a photo of a certain red brick wall.

• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Lionsgate for review on this site.



• BUY IT: Blu-ray, DVD.

• SYNOPSIS: The sparkling series featured the irresistible William Powell and Myrna Loy as husband and wife sleuths who solved murders with the aid of their wire-haired terrier, Asta. Set in the glamorous world of 1930s and 40s upper-class Manhattan, The Thin Man and its sequels established a timeless standard for witty comedy, clever dialogue and urbane one upmanship. This 6-disc set includes the films The Thin Man (1934), After the Thin Man (1936), Another Thin Man (1939), Shadow of the Thin Man (1941), The Thin Man Goes Home (1945), and Song of the Thin Man (1947) - with each film on its own disc.

• SPECIAL FEATURES: All of the content below can be found on the respective Blu-ray discs.

• DISC 1: Scene of the Crime (25:48) - This is the second-season premiere of The Thin Man TV series, starring Peter Lawford and Phyllis Kirk in the lead roles of Nick and Nora Charles, which first aired on October 24, 1958. At the end is an uncredited cameo by Lawford's Rat Pack buddy Frank Sinatra.
• DISC 1: Lux Radio Theatre Broadcast (58:21) - This audio program, guest-hosted by director W.S. Van Dyke, stars William Powell and Myrna Loy reprising their roles and was originally broadcast on June 8, 1936. After the program is a closing interview with silent film actress Theda Bara.
• DISC 1: The Thin Man Theatrical Trailer (3:18) - This vintage promotional piece can be seen here.
• DISC 2: How to Be a Detective (8:49) - This 1936 Robert Benchley short offers a lesson on helpful ways to catch a criminal.
• DISC 2: The Early Bird and the Worm (9:14) - This Happy Harmonies cartoon from 1936 features a chipper bluebird trying to devour a flute-playing worm.
• DISC 2: Lux Radio Theater Broadcast (59:35) - Originally airing on June 17, 1940, this is a condensed adaptation of After the Thin Man featuring William Powell and Myrna Loy reprising their lead roles as Nick and Nora.
• DISC 2: Leo is On the Air (14:27) - This installment of MGM's long-running radio series, which originally aired in 1936, promotes After the Thin Man with a plot summary and several audio clips from the movie.
• DISC 2: After the Thin Man Theatrical Trailer (2:54) - This vintage promotional piece can be seen here.
• DISC 3: Love on Tap (10:47) - This 1939 live-action piece features the talents of the Merriel Abbott Dancers, whose manager Penny (Mary Howard) has been trying to marry Tommy (Truman Bradley), but her work keeps getting in the way.
• DISC 3: The Bookworm (8:24) - This 1939 MGM cartoon follows a library-dwelling bookworm that tries to escape the servant of three evil witches who want him for her potion.
• DISC 3: Another Thin Man Theatrical Trailer (2:36) - This lively vintage promotional piece can also be seen here.
• DISC 4: The Tell-Tale Heart (19:45) - This 1941 adaptation of Edgar Allen Poe's classic story stars Joseph Schildkraut and Roman Bohnen.
• DISC 4: The Goose Goes South (6:12) - This MGM cartoon concerns a goose who, after being left behind by his flock, tries other methods of travel. Unfortunately, this looks to be edited, omitting two short scenes featuring a group of "happy, carefree cotton-pickers".
• DISC 4: Shadow of the Thin Man Theatrical Trailer (2:59) - This lively vintage promotional piece can also be seen here.
• DISC 5: Why Daddy (9:24) - This short follows a know-it-all man (Robert Benchley) and his son Bobby (Richard Hall) as they compete on a kids-vs-adults quiz show.
• DISC 5: Screwball Squirrel (7:25) - This classic 1944 cartoon by Tex Avery is the first appearance of Screwy Squirrel. It can be viewed here.
• DISC 5: The Thin Man Goes Home Theatrical Trailer (2:11) - This charming vintage promotional piece can also be seen here.
• DISC 6: A Really Important Person (10:50) - This black-and-white short follows intrepid policeman's son Billy Reilly (Dean Stockwell) as he looks for someone to write a school essay about.
• DISC 6: Slap Happy Lion (7:26) - This classic 1947 MGM cartoon by Tex Avery details the tragic downfall of a lion from king of the beasts to a gibbering, pill-popping wreck.
• DISC 6: Song of the Thin Man Theatrical Trailer (3:07) - This charming vintage promotional piece can also be seen here.

• RATING: Not Rated.

• NOTES: These are the same six discs that were originally released individually over the past several years, only collected in one space-saving Blu-ray case. So, if you already bought the six films individually, you don't need this. If you didn't, you're in for a treat as Nick and Nora are the "old school" version of Jonathan and Jennifer Hart from Hart to Hart. The only negative here is that the 2004 DVD set (linked in the Buy It section above) includes a "Bonus Disc" containing the documentaries "William Powell: A True Gentleman" and "Myrna Loy: So Nice to Come Home To", both of which are not found here.

• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Warner Brothers for review on this site.



• BUY IT: Blu-ray. Individually: Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume 3, Volume 4.

• SYNOPSIS: Traverse through the golden era of Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies with 97 remastered cartoons featuring Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd, Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote, Tweety & Sylvester, and many more. Representing the work of legendary animation geniuses including Chuck Jones, Friz Freleng, Tex Avery, Bob Clampett, and Robert McKimson, this collection features exceptional rarities as well as fan favorites.

• SHORTS LIST: Since there isn't a guide or even a list of all of the shorts in the case (or printed on the discs), here is a list of every one of the 97 shorts. There are no extras on any of the discs, through the last two shorts in Volume 4 are considered "Bonus Cartoons".

• RATING: Not Rated.

• NOTES: This is an excellent collection, but it is not a complete set of every Looney Tunes and Merry Melody short ever created. As far as I'm aware, Warner Brothers has never released such a set. If you want to supplement this beautiful collection of lesser-known shorts with more of the well-known variety, you would be advised to buy the following Blu-rays: Looney Tunes Platinum Collection, Volume 1, Looney Tunes Platinum Collection, Volume 2, Looney Tunes Platinum Collection, Volume 3, Looney Tunes: Bugs Bunny: 80th Anniversary Collection, and Looney Tunes Mouse Chronicles: Chuck Jones Collection. The Bugs & Mouse collections may repeat shorts found on the Platinum Collections, so be aware of that.

• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Warner Brothers for review on this site.



• BUY IT: Blu-ray, DVD.

• SYNOPSIS: Leonardo (Nicolas Cantu), Michaelangelo (Shamon Brown Jr.), Donatello (Micah Abbey), and Raphael (Brady Noon), as teenagers, deal with their new life as heroes while also dealing with the pressures of going to high school in New York City.

• EPISODE LIST: There are no extras, but here is a list of all 12 episodes that were originally released on the Paramount+ streaming service on August 8, 2024. The first six, which comprise one story arc, can be found on Disc 1. The last six, which comprise another story arc, can be found on Disc 2.

01. "Leo Nardo Stands Alone"
02. "Mikey Does the Right Thing"
03. "Raphael Thinks It Through"
04. "Donnie Hangs Tough"
05. "Bishop Makes Her Move!"
06. "Night of the Mechazoids"
07. "Raph vs. Water"
08. "Mikey Takes Charge"
09. "Splinter and April Fight a Goldfish"
10. "Donnie Goes Deep"
11. "Leonardo Saddles Up"
12. "The Pearl"

• RATING: Not Rated.

• NOTES: This new series offers fresh take on the 40-year-old franchise by depicting the characters as actual teenagers. Yes, they've been called Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles since 1984, yet never really felt like teens until now. The series is a follow-up to the 2024 Mutant Mayhem movie, which is available on 4K UHD, 4K UHD Steelbook, Blu-ray, and DVD

• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Paramount for review on this site.



• BUY IT: Blu-ray, DVD.

• SYNOPSIS: Just through a hole in the wall of Doc's workshop, you will find the magical underground home of the hilarious, musical, fun-loving Fraggles, industrious little Doozers, and giant lumbering Gorgs, not to mention an endless array of wondrous creatures that live in the tunnels and caves of Fraggle Rock!

• EPISODE LIST: Here is a list of all 14 episodes, which originally were released on Apple TV on November 17, 2022. There are five episodes on each of the first two discs, and four episodes on the third disc.

01. "Pilot"
02. "Red and the Big Jump"
03. "The Merggle Moon Migration"
04. "The Glow"
05. "Four Wembleys and a Birthday"
06. "The Legend of Icy Joe"
07. "Flight of the Flutterflies"
08. "Craggle Lagoon"
09. "The Giggle Gaggle Games"
10. "Wembley the Spokesfraggle"
11. "Deep Dive"
12. "Into the Trash"
13. "All of Us"
14. "Night of the Lights"

• SPECIAL FEATURES: All of the content below can be found on Disc 3, except the commentaries, which are on the discs with their related episodes.

• Audio Commentary on "Pilot" - with puppeteers John Tartaglia and Karen Prell.
• Audio Commentary on "Craggle Lagoon" - with puppeteers John Tartaglia and Karen Prell.
• Audio Commentary on "Night of the Lights" - with puppeteers John Tartaglia and Karen Prell.
• Blooper Reel (2:47) - Done in-character, filmed vertically for some stupid reason.
• Sing-Alongs - The four songs include "Go with the Flow" (2:28), "Follow Me" (1:40), "Party in Fraggle Rock" (1:56), and the "Fraggle Rock Theme Song" (1:05).

• RATING: Not Rated.

• NOTES: What a fantastic continuation of the original 1983-1987 series. Bright, colorful, with some of the original cast members, and still using puppets, it's everything you could possibly want from a new Fraggle Rock series. To go along with it, grab a copy of the original series on Blu-ray or DVD. The 1980s animated series is also available on DVD separately (reviewed here), though it can be found in the original Blu-ray set (not sure about the DVD set). Finally, Season 2 of Back to the Rock premiered on Apple TV on March 28, 2024. I hope that season gets a Blu-ray release next year. We need more Fraggle Rock on Blu-ray!

• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Sony for review on this site.



• BUY IT: DVD.

• SYNOPSIS: Join Timmy Turner (Tara Strong) and his fairy godparents Cosmos (Daran Norris) and Wanda (Susanne Blakeslee) in 10 Seasons of unforgettable magical misadventures! From playing tricks on Vicki (Grey Delisle), to thwarting Mr. Crocker's (Carlos Alazraqui) quest to prove that fairies are real, and trying to win Trixie Tang's (Dionne Quan) heart, Timmy, Cosmo and Wanda's adventures are all here. Enjoy over 30 hours of hilarious wish-making with all 172 episodes of The Fairly OddParents, including "Wishology"!

• BREAKDOWN: Seasons 1-8 and Wishology are presented in 4:3 fullscreen with English 2.0 Dolby Digital audio, while Seasons 9&10 are presented in 16:9 anamorphic widescreen with English 5.1 Dolby Digital audio.

-- Season 1 - 2 discs.
-- Season 2 - 3 discs.
-- Season 3 - 4 discs.
-- Season 4 - 5 discs.
-- Season 5 - 6 discs.
-- Season 6 - 2 discs.
-- Season 7 - 4 discs.
-- Season 8 - 1 disc.
-- Season 9 - 4 discs.
-- Season 10 - 3 discs.
-- Wishology - 1 disc.

• RATING: Not Rated.

• NOTES: All 35 discs are housed in the same thick clear plastic case with discs stacked three (maximum) per a spindle and holders attached on both sides that was used in the Young Sheldon DVD set. Refer to my review of that set to see a photo of this type of case. There is no episode list or guide, which makes finding an episode a chore, especially considering the number of episodes and discs. It would have been nice if an episode list was printed on the interior of the case. That's the only complain I have about this great set.

• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Paramount for review on this site.



• BUY IT: Blu-ray, DVD.

• SYNOPSIS: Shenandoah (Robert Horton) is a gunfighter in search of his identity across the wilds of the Old West. A stranger is shot and left to die from exposure to the elements. Half dead, he is brought to a small town by a pair of cowboys who hope there may be a reward for his capture. A worldly woman, Kate (Beverly Garland), nurses the man back to health. When he recovers consciousness, the man has no idea who he is or where he came from. Newly christened Shenandoah by Kate, he is forced into a gunfight, killing the one man who might have told him who he is. Forced to bid goodbye to Kate, he sets out on the long, lonely trail to discover his own identity.

• EPISODE LIST: Here is a list of all 34 episodes that originally aired on ABC from September 12, 1965 to May 15, 1966. An episode guide can still be found at star Robert Horton's official website.

-- DISC 1: "The Onslaught", "Survival", "The Fort", "The Caller", "The Debt", and "Obion - 1866".
-- DISC 2: "The Verdict", "Town on Fire", "Incident at Dry Creek", "The Locket", "The Reward", "A Special Talent for Killing", and "The Siege".
-- DISC 3: "The Bell", "The Young Outlaw", "The Accused", "Run, Killer, Run", "Rope's End", "The Lost Diablo", and "A Long Way Home".
-- DISC 4: "End of a Legend", "Run and Hide", "The Riley Brand", "Muted Fifes, Muffled Drums", "Plunder", "Marlee", and "The Death of Matthew Eldridge".
-- DISC 5: "Aces & Kings", "The Impostor", "An Unfamiliar Tune", "The Clown", "Requiem for the Second", "Care of General Delivery", and "Macauley's Cure".

• RATING: Not Rated.

• NOTES: There are no special features, but when you have a rare television series from the 1960s in high definition (from 4K scans of the original camera negatives) for a relatively low price, what more could you ask for? Notable guest stars include DeForest Kelley, Edward Asner, Bruce Dern, Cloris Leachman, Warren Oates, George Kennedy, Leonard Nimoy, Martin Landau, and Frank Gorshin. This five-disc set is housed in a slightly thicker-than-normal blue plastic case with each disc on its own page with no overlap. YAY!

• 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.