Tomorrow: TV on Blu-ray!

MORE GIFT IDEAS:

* TV ON BLU
* ANIMATION
* CLASSICS
* THE BEST OF THE YEAR

If you follow The Blu-ray Blog at all, you’ll know of my deep, sincere love for pretty much everything that comes out of the Criterion Collection. It’s easy to be a fanboy when damn near every disc they release features a picture-perfect presentation and is packed to the gills with extras. But this seven film box set aptly named America Lost and Found: The BBS Story is really something special. The studio has gone above and beyond here, releasing their biggest and best Blu-ray boxed set to date. All the films from the famous (Easy Rider, Five Easy Pieces, The Last Picture Show, The King of Marvin Gardens) to the less well know (Head, Drive He Said, A Safe Place) are handled with equal skill – each looking and sounding better than ever before and loaded with special features. Each film is housed in its own beautifully designed slipcase, complemented by the box packaging and the incredible 112-page illustrated book of essays on the films.

I can’t recommend this boxed set highly enough. It might very well be the release of the year.

READ MORE: Criterion Collection America Lost and Found: The BBS Story Blu-ray set contains Easy Rider, Last Picture Show, Five Easy Pieces

AMAZON: $87.99

The Alien Anthology Blu-ray set is such a beautiful thing. Nevermind that it includes all four of the original films, two of which (the two that really matter) look mind-blowingly good, but the set also includes more special features than you’ll probably ever be able watch and listen to unless you’re as obsessive-compulsive about the films you love as I am. After spending time with this 6-disc set (one for each film and two for extras) I almost feel like each individual component is worth the price of the box on its own. I’m particularly knocked out by the extremely candid and thorough documentaries included in the set. The Alien 3 piece is such a revelation it might just knock you on your ass. All six discs are housed in a hardcover book (the discs are slipped within very firm pages with nested trays) which slips into a shiny, creepy Alien box package.

Highest possible recommendation!!

READ MORE: Alien Anthology Blu-ray Boxed Set Officially Announced and Detailed

AMAZON: $69.99

I’ve got two admissions to make here. The first is that I’ve never cared for The Sound of Music. The second is that this new Blu-ray edition of the film blew my mind and made me a fan. It’s true! Swear to God. The Sound of Music is, hands down, the best looking restoration of the year. Want to impress your friends with your home video setup? Got a couple of jerks in your circle of pals who insist that there’s no point in buying older films on Blu? Pop in The Sound of Music and make their eyes jump out of their heads. The edition you see pictured above is the full-on gift set, complete with soundtrack, books and goo-gahs. The film is also available in a simple 3-disc combo-pack (Amazon: $18.99.)

READ MORE: The Sound of Music: 45th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray officially announced and detailed

AMAZON: $59.99

One Flew over the Cukoo’s Nest was previously released in a nice, hardcover digibook edition Blu-ray. Warner’s newest release of the film features a very similar presentation but extends the “making of” documentary. Sadly, the audio is still only presented in the compressed version found on the previous disc. Still, this is an amazing film in a beautiful box that contains playing cards, posters, character cards, pre-production correspondence and movie trivia.

AMAZON: $34.49

Oh. Em. Gee. Do you remember how I went off about the Harry Potter Ultimate Edition Box sets last year? Well, get ready for another barrage of praise, this time tempered with a hint of disappointment.

Both The Prisoner of Azkaban and The Goblet of Fire get the full-on, Ultimate Edition Blu-ray treatment this year, joining the wonderful Philosopher Stone and Chamber of Secrets sets of 2009. Both films carry over their nearly-perfect high-def presentations and extras from previously issued discs while adding a host of brand new special features and collectibles all housed in magnetically latched box packaging. ‘The World of Harry Potter‘ 8-part documentary continues with parts three and four in these sets and is, once again nearly worth the price of purchase alone. The accompanying hardcover books are a nice compliment to each part of the doc. Missing from the Ultimate sets this time around are alternate cuts of the films (both directors have gone on record stating that the theatrical cuts are the only ones they care to present) and the picture-in-picture tracks.

READ MORE: New Harry Potter: Ultimate Edition Blu-ray sets announced for Prisoner of Azkaban, Goblet of Fire

AMAZON: $33.99 each

This toy box of Toy Story is a really great gift for those who haven’t picked up any of the individual Blu-ray releases from the series. It’s essentially just a bundling of the combo-pack discs from each film with nothing new added aside from the handsome box. So, if you’ve already got the 3-disc Toy Story and Toy Story 2 and the 4-disc Toy Story 3, there’s not much to see here. But if you’ve been holding out for whatever reason, or if you know someone who has, now is the time to dive in to the toy box!

AMAZON: $64.99

I still haven’t managed to get my hands on the Back to the Future: 25th Anniversary boxed set but by all accounts this is one of the best Blu-ray releases of the year. I understand that the new high-def transfers are gorgeous and the 2-hours of brand new special features are worth watching. I’ve got this one on my list and hope to see it under the tree in a couple of weeks!

READ MORE: Back To The Future Trilogy Blu-ray Boxed Set Officially Announced

AMAZON: $49.99

I’m not personally a big fan of the Shrek films but my four-year old niece certainly is. This Shrek: The Whole Story Boxed Set is like a dream come true for her, packaging together all of the films with over 7-hours of special features.

AMAZON: $39.99

I’m a huge, unabashed fan of Robocop – the film, not the franchise. So, this boxed set is a bit of a bittersweet release. I was hoping for a better transfer of the first film and the special features from the 2-disc DVD set but alas, the set only features bare-bones editions of the films. It’s a great gift for fans of the character or the series as a whole, as this is the first time the sequels are available in high-def and they both look and sound pretty great.

READ MORE: Robocop Trilogy Blu-ray Disc Review

AMAZON: $36.49

Here’s another set on my wish list this year – the Goonies: 25th Anniversary set comes jam-packed with a lot of collectibles I’m not interested (ok, maybe I’d play that Goonies board game once or twice over the holiday season) but I genuinely love this film and remain excited to see it in high-def.

READ MORE: Goonies: Ultimate Collector’s Edition Blu-ray coming in November

AMAZON: $34.99

Oh boy. If Santa brings me anything this year, I hope it’s a stocking full of Apocalypse! I’ve been longing for this 3-disc deluxe ‘Full Disclosure Edition‘ set ever since we caught wind of it earlier this year and I swear, I’m buying it on boxing day if I don’t unwrap it the day before. It contains both cuts of Apocalypse Now, the Hearts of Darkness documentary and a crap-ton of special features. Drool drool drool…

READ MORE: Apocalypse Now, Hearts of Darkness doc coming to Blu-ray

AMAZON: $37.99

MORE GIFT IDEAS:

* TV ON BLU
* ANIMATION
* CLASSICS
* THE BEST OF THE YEAR

Related posts

• Top 5 New Blu-ray releases for the Week of November 23 (1)
• Criterion Collection America Lost and Found: The BBS Story Blu-ray set contains Easy Rider, Last Picture Show, Five Easy Pieces (3)
• [VIDEO] Fox Blu-ray Demo features Alien Anthology, Sound of Music, Moulin Rouge and more! (1)
• [VIDEO] The Sound of Music (45th Anniversary Edition) Blu-ray Trailer (3)
• Top 5 New Blu-ray releases for the Week of November 2 (1)

This is an amazing week for Blu-ray – not only in that there are a handful of pretty amazing new releases (and some duds) to grab up but that there are more deals to be had this week on titles and players than at any time of the year, thanks to the incredible BLACK FRIDAY sales in the USA. If new releases aren’t your thing this week, you can find a handy, constantly-updated Black Friday Blu-ray Guide to sales and sale prices here.

1. AMERICA LOST AND FOUND: THE BBS STORY

I know I’ve said this a few times recently, but this really might be the Blu-ray release of the year. Criterion have assembled a box full of seven of the most important and influential films from the late 60s/early 70s, all made and produced by Bob Rafelson, Bert Schneider and Steve Blauner. And of course, each one has been prepped and transferred with the same love and care that Criterion give each standalone release, individually stacked with great special features.

Less well-known films, Head, A Safe Place and Drive, He Said hold up well amongst their popular siblings. In fact, though most film fans will pick up the boxed set for The Last Picture Show or Five Easy Pieces, I think the true delight will be the discovery (or re-discovery, as the case may be) of these hidden gems.

Higher profile Blu-ray releases and boxed sets might steal the spotlight this holiday season but the true coveted prize for any true film-fan will be this incredible, robust collection of films from Criterion. America Lost and Found: The BBS Story receives our highest possible recommendation.

FULL DETAILS HERE: Criterion Collection America Lost and Found: The BBS Story Blu-ray set contains Easy Rider, Last Picture Show, Five Easy Pieces

Amazon: $87.49

2. THE COMPLETE METROPOLIS

Speaking of incredible, influential and must-own releases of the week, The Complete Metropolis Blu-ray release from Kino is the newly released disc that you don’t put on your Christmas list – you run out and buy it today. Metropolis is inarguably one of the most important films ever made and now, for the first time in decades, we have the opportunity to see it in its complete form. Well, as close as technology and available resources allow.

The film was censored, ravaged from its initial length to a truncated 90-minutes. This version, which looks incredible on Blu-ray, for the most part, restores a good deal of the story and brings the run-time to a more film-accurate 145-minutes. This is a landmark Blu-ray release that shouldn’t be missed at any cost!

Amazon: $29.49

3. DEADWOOD: THE COMPLETE SERIES

On any other week, this would have easily been the number one release. The Deadwood: The Complete Series Blu-ray boxed set showed up at my door just as I was stepping out on vacation. As a result I haven’t been able to watch it yet but I’ll tell you, the damn thing weighs a ton! It’s packed with 13-discs of one of the best shows to ever have aired on television. And knowing HBO as I do, I’d be willing to bet that the quality of the packaging and the transfers are all beyond reproach. It’s an expensive set but an easy recommendation, even without having viewed a single one of the 13 discs.

Amazon: $137.99

4. THE EXPENDABLES

Ahhh, Sly. I totally missed this one in the theatres. (I know, you’re shocked, right?) But strangely, I have a feeling that this testosterone-fueled 80s callback will be better enjoyed on the smaller screen, just as we all truly fell in love with this type of film on cable and VHS back in the day. Call me crazy, but I’m actually more excited to check this out on Blu-ray than in the theatre. I’m looking forward to having the boys over, ordering pizza and busting out The Expendables very soon. Too bad the disc doesn’t have a VHS-quality transfer as one of the special features. … I can’t believe I just wrote that…

Amazon: $19.99

5. THE PILLARS OF THE EARTH

I have a feeling I’ll take a little heat for this but I loved The Pillars of the Earth! After steadfastly avoiding the television mini-series format for ages, I found myself quickly sucked into this brilliantly executed medieval melodrama, adapted from the bestselling novel by Ken Follett. Admittedly, the fact that the show is produced by Ridley and Tony Scott and stars a ton of amazing actors (Donald Sutherland, Gordon Pinsent, Hayley Atwell, Ian McShane, Matthew Macfadyen to name a few) makes watching what could have been a very weak movie of the week-style program an easier pill to swallow. The castles and bloody battles look great on the 3-disc Blu-ray set, despite the fact that the 6-episodes are actually encoded in 1080i (the back of the packaging incorrectly states that the encoding is 1080p.)

Amazon: $38.99

6. SALON KITTY

Another week, another sixth title in the Top 5 list. I’m sorry, but I can’t wrap up this column without pointing out that the lude, rude and all-together very nude (see what I did there, with the rhyming?) Salon Kitty has made its way to Blu-ray thanks to the dirty boys and girls of Blue Underground. Three years before he would shock the world with Caligula, Tinto Brass delivered a lengthy, somewhat muddled World War II-era film about a madame whose brothel is bugged in an attempt to gather bedside intel from unsuspecting Nazi soldiers. Brass takes the subject matter seriously but undermines his intent with over the top tits and ass. Fans of the film will be happy to know that Salon Kitty looks and sounds better than ever on Blu-ray and includes a limited but informative collection of extras (“Inside ‘Salon Kitty:’ Interview with Director Tinto Brass“, “Designing ‘Salon Kitty:’ Interview with Production Designer Ken Adam“, international trailer and three radio spots)

Amazon: $22.49

ALSO AVAILABLE ON BLU-RAY THIS WEEK
Clicking an image will take you to Amazon.com where you can learn more about and purchase the Blu-ray disc:

Related posts

• Criterion Collection America Lost and Found: The BBS Story Blu-ray set contains Easy Rider, Last Picture Show, Five Easy Pieces (3)
• Blu-ray Holiday Gift Guide 2010: Gift Sets (5)
• The Pillars of the Earth Blu-ray Disc Review (1)
• Top 10 New Blu-ray releases for the Week of June 21 (0)
• Top 10 New Blu-ray Discs for Halloween 2010 (5)

Along with the mind boggling collection of single-film releases Criterion is planning to shower down on us this November, the studio has also announced plans to release an incredible looking 7-film boxed set called America Lost and Found: The BBS Story, containing the films made and produced by Bob Rafelson, Bert Schneider, and Steve Blauner between 1968 and 1972.

I can hardly believe that Criterion was able to license all of these films from the various studios that hold the rights. I mean, it hasn’t even been a year since Sony gave us Easy Rider on Blu and I’ve been fairly certain that it was only a matter of time before they delivered one of my all time faves, Peter Bogdanovich‘s The Last Picture Show a high-def release. Not that I’m complaining, of course. I’m always happy when Criterion is able to license a title – any title – and give it the respectful release it deserves.

Speaking of Last Picture Show, I see that Criterion lists the run-time as the lengthier 126 minutes, as opposed to the original 118 minutes. This suggests, though it goes without mention anywhere in the studios documentation, that the film will be presented on Blu-ray in its newer, longer Director’s Cut. No big deal there. Just saying.The more Bodanovich, the better, as far as I’m concerned!

AMERICA LOST AND FOUND: THE BBS STORY
(November 23, 2010 – MSRP $124.95)

Special Features:

Head

• New, restored high-definition digital transfer with DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and uncompressed monaural soundtracks
• Audio commentary featuring Monkees Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, and Peter Tork
• New video interview with director Bob Rafelson
• New documentary about BBS, featuring critic David Thomson and historian Douglas Brinkley
• More!

Easy Rider

• New, restored high-definition digital transfer (with DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition)
• Audio commentary featuring director Dennis Hopper
• Easy Rider: Shaking the Cage, a 1999 documentary featuring behind-the-scenes footage
• Footage of Hopper and star Peter Fonda at Cannes in 1969
• New video interview with BBS’s Steve Blauner
• More!

Five Easy Pieces

• New, restored high-definition digital transfer (with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition)
• Audio commentary featuring director Bob Rafelson and interior designer Toby Rafelson
• Soul Searching in Five Easy Pieces, a 2009 video piece in which Rafelson discusses the film
• BBStory, a 2009 documentary
• Excerpts from an audio recording of Rafelson at the American Film Institute in 1976

Drive, He Said

• New, restored high-definition digital transfer (with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition)
• A Cautionary Tale of Campus Revolution and Sexual Freedom, a 2009 video piece in which director Jack Nicholson discusses the experience of making this film
• Theatrical trailer
• More!

A Safe Place

• New, restored high-definition digital transfer (with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition)
• Audio commentary featuring director Henry Jaglom
• Henry Jaglom Finds “A Safe Place,” a 2009 video piece in which the director discusses the film
• Notes on the New York Film Festival, a 1971 video piece featuring an interview conducted by critic Molly Haskell with directors Peter Bogdanovich and Jaglom about their films The Last Picture Show and A Safe Place
• Deleted scene and screen tests
• Theatrical trailer

The Last Picture Show

• New, restored high-definition digital transfer (with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition)
• Two audio commentaries, one featuring director Peter Bogdanovich and the other featuring Bogdanovich and actors Cybill Shepherd, Randy Quaid, Cloris Leachman, and Frank Marshall
• Picture This, a 1990 documentary by George Hickenlooper
• “The Last Picture Show”: A Look Back, an hour-long 1999 documentary
• 2009 interview with Bogdanovich
• Screen tests and location footage
• Theatrical trailers and more!

The King of Marvin Gardens

• New, restored high-definition digital transfer (with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition)
• Selected-scene audio commentary featuring director Bob Rafelson
• Reflections of a Philosopher King, a 2009 documentary about the making of the film
• Afterthoughts, a short 2002 documentary about the film, produced by Rafelson
• Theatrical trailer

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• Top 5 New Blu-ray releases for the Week of August 10 (1)
• Top 5 New Blu-ray releases for the Week of April 5 (0)
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Huh. Well, how do you like them apples? It appears as though a good portion of the best discs out this week are comedies – Classic Bogdonavich, stars of NBC comedies, and a couple of the best Chevy Chase films ever made. All topped off by a brand, spanking new Criterion Blu-ray release. It’s gonna be a good week…

1. CRUMB

There is a perpetual stream of discussion regarding the question of the best “comic book” film ever made. Is it The Dark Knight or Superman: The Movie? Ghost World or American Splendor? There’s little question in my mind that Terry Zwigoff‘s landmark documentary Crumb should top that list. While it has nothing to do with men in tights or adolescent power fantasies (not in the traditional sense, anyway) it does provide a shockingly candid and riveting look inside the life of one of the most influential figures in the world of underground/indie comic book illustration and storytelling. Without the groundbreaking work of Robert Crumb, there wouldn’t be any Scott Pilgrim, Sin City, American Splendor or Ghost World on the page or the silver screen. Zwigoff’s Crumb is an unflinching look at the man and his unorthodox, eccentric family that will simultaneously give you an appreciation of his work and break your heart.

Highest possible recommendation!

SPECIAL FEATURES:

• New, restored high-definition digital transfer, approved by director Terry Zwigoff, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition
• Two audio commentaries, one featuring Zwigoff from 2010, and one with Zwigoff and critic Roger Ebert from 2006
• More than fifty minutes of unused footage
• Stills gallery
• PLUS: A booklet featuring an essay by critic Jonathan Rosenbaum and artwork by Charles, Jesse, Maxon, and Robert Crumb

Read more: Criterion bringing Black Orpheus and Crumb to Blu-ray

Amazon: $29.49

2. WHAT’S UP DOC?

God, I love Peter Bogdanovich. I mean, his work, not the man. The Last Picture Show is such a brilliant work of genius that I never tire of. I think I may have burned out my DVD. As much as I’m not a fan of screwball comedies, I’m willing to bite if it’s a screwball comedy by Bogdanovich. And What’s Up Doc? certainly qualifies. This looks like a great package from Warner, carrying over the excellent extras from the previously issued DVD. I’m looking forward to it…

Amazon: $18.99

3. NATIONAL LAMPOON’S VACATION and NATIONAL LAMPOON’S EUROPEAN VACATION

These two Vacation films were perhaps my favourite Chevy Chase efforts growing up. I can’t even begin to count the number of times I’ve seen Chase do the Bavarian “Slap Dance” in European Vacation. Classic. The first film is some of the best writing of John Hughes‘ career coupled with some of the best directing of Harold Ramis‘. Don’t miss these on Blu!

Amazon: $18.99, $19.49

4. DATE NIGHT

I missed out on Date Night when it hit theatres earlier this year. I’m expecting a Blu-ray screener any day now and will be only too ecstatic to dive into it, as I believe that no matter how weak or castrated the script may be, the comic talents of Steve Carell and Tina Fey will be able breathe hilarity into it. That said, I haven’t heard very good things about this film. Fingers crossed…

Amazon: $24.99

5. DEATH AT A FUNERAL

Howard has been hard at work crafting his review of Death at a Funeral which should be turning up on The Blu-ray Blog any day now (right, Howard?!) I understand that it’s a much better film than either of us had anticipated. I can’t say I’m completely surprised by that fact, as director Neil LaBute has yet to disappoint me. But then again, I didn’t ever see his remake of The Wicker Man. And based on the reviews I’ve read and my affection for the original film, I probably never will.

Amazon: $21.99

ALSO AVAILABLE ON BLU-RAY THIS WEEK
Clicking an image will take you to Amazon.com where you can learn more about and purchase the Blu-ray disc:

Related posts

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• Blu-ray Picks for the Week of December 1 (0)
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• Top 5 New Blu-ray releases for the Week of November 16 (3)
• The Criterion Collection: Crumb Blu-ray Disc Review (1)

Playing catch up here, with a ton of upcoming release announcements. This post, focusing on a group of comedies coming up from Warner Home Video. I’ve never seen Bogdanovich‘s What’s Up Doc? but I generally love his work, so I’m really looking forward to checking out the Blu-ray. The other three films are family favourites – films we watched so many times we nearly wore out our old VHS tapes, back in the day. Caddyshack is out in June, with the two Vacations and Doc coming in August. Details below:

CADDYSHACK
(July 8, 2010 – MSRP $24.98)
Video: 1.85:1 1080p
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1

Special Features:

• Feature length documentary: Caddyshack: The Inside Story
• Caddyshack: The 19th Hole
• Theatrical trailer

NATIONAL LAMPOON’S VACATION
(August 10, 2010 – MSRP $24.98)
Video: 1.85:1 1080p
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1

Special Features:

• Griswold family commentary by Chevy Chase, Randy Quaid, Anthony Michael Hall, Dana Barron, director Harold Ramis and producer Matty Simmons
• Family Truckster featurette gallery

NATIONAL LAMPOON’S EUROPEAN VACATION
(August 10, 2010 – MSRP $24.98)
Video: 1.85:1 1080p
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1

Special Features:

• Commentary by Chevy Chase

WHAT’S UP DOC?
(August 10, 2010 – MSRP $24.98)
Video: 1.85:1 1080p
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1

Special Features:

• Scene-specific commentary by Barbra Streisand

• Full-movie commentary by director Peter Bogdanovich
• Vintage featurette: Screwball Comedies… Remember Them?”
• Theatrical trailer

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NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION: 20th ANNIVERSARY ULTIMATE COLLECTOR’S EDITION (1989, Blu-ray released November 3, 2009 – MSRP $49.99)

It wouldn’t be Christmas without the Griswold‘s, as far as my family is concerned. We have a few films that we make sure to catch every holiday season and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is at the top of the list. And now, with this Ultimate Collector’s Edition Blu-ray Disc tin, we can not only enjoy the film we love so much but we’ve got a whole lot of Griswold paraphernalia to celebrate with!

In 1989, Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo made a return to their characters of Clark and Ellen Griswold (along with two new actors playing their children, as is par for the course in the series) in the third of National Lampoon’s Vacation films. This Christmas edition, teaming the Griswold’s suburban family with their RV traveling, backwater cousins and some eccentric seniors made for some pretty great gut-busting. A jello cake full of cat treats, a blinding amount of holiday lights and the biggest Christmas tree anyone has ever packed into a tiny living room set the stage for some classic holiday humour.

All right, look. I’m not really here to review National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation or the Blu-ray disc it’s on. Not exactly. This release that I’m tackling includes the disc, yes, but it’s more like I’m telling you about a big metal gift basket filled with goodies and holiday treats. The Blu-ray disc inside the tin is the same one that Warner Home Video released in December of 2006. It’s not the best looking or sounding disc on the market but anyone who is picking up this gift set is clearly a fan of the film and won’t be disappointed by the transfer. It’s the best representation of the film available on home video. But it’s extremely unfortunate that we’re not getting any further special features than the old, previously available commentary track on this 20th Anniversary Blu-ray. It’s not a bad track by any stretch of the imagination, despite the absence of Chase. It’s just that it would have been amazing to finally see some of the cut scenes we’ve heard so much about make their way to disc! Or to see a retrospective featurette. Anything more would have been welcome. Sigh…

As I mentioned above, this Ultimate Collector’s Edition isn’t just about the film. Oh no! Aside from a copy of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation on Blu-ray disc, the tin also contains a ton of goodies that will get you into the spirit of the Griswold festivities: