Blu-ray Feature: 2013 Father’s Day Gift Guide

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CHICAGO – It’s that time of year, the one in which you have to decide if you’re willing to think outside of the tie box when it comes to getting your pop something for Father’s Day. Another pair of socks? Or how about something he’ll appreciate? A movie? A TV series? A box set? Studios have been populating New Releases shelves over the last few weeks with enough product that there’s something for every dear old dad out there. Here’s your guide to some of the latest and greatest.

If Dad’s a TV Fan

House of Cards Photo credit: Sony

If your pop likes his television in series set form, there are plenty of options this month to tie up his weekend. Want him off your back for a few days? Some of the absolute best programming of the 2012-13 season was recently released on Blu-ray and it seems likely that at least one of them will please papa. In fact, it’s hard to know where to start. How about the killer first half of the final season of “Breaking Bad,” just released by Sony and including hours of special features, the highlight of which is a new scene. New “Breaking Bad”! It will be a nice appetizer for the final meal soon to come.

Maybe dad isn’t an AMC fan and he likes his TV a little more uncut? HBO released “The Newsroom: Season One” this week and Sony has brought “House of Cards” from Netflix to DVD and Blu-ray. The former comes loaded with the typical quantity of HBO goodies (they do this thing better than anyone) while the latter is sadly bereft of special features.

Finally, “Falling Skies” has returned to TNT this month and the last season hit Blu-ray to coincide. Maybe dad’s a sci-fi fan burned out on blockbuster movie prices. With incredibly high production values and the guiding hand of Steven Spielberg, “Falling Skies” could be the perfect gift.

If Dad’s Into Action Movies

A Good Day to Die Hard Photo credit: Fox

They may not be the most critically acclaimed films of the year but several of the most recent action hits came to Blu-ray at a not-so-coincidental time of year in the hope to get some Daddy Day Dollars. Like what? Start with one of the most underrated flicks of 2013, “Jack Reacher,” a film with definite flaws if you expect CGI blockbuster but also some nice storytelling if you approach it as a noir. It’s ridiculous but in a fun way.

Also ridiculous but less fun (at least to me) is “A Good Day to Die Hard,” a movie that I couldn’t possibly recommend but that daddy may like to complete his “Die Hard” collection. Unless, of course, he doesn’t own the classic first movie. If that’s the case, start there.

Finally, there’s “Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters,” an action-fantasy hybrid, and “Snitch,” starring the action icon of 2013, a man who has appeared in a top ten feature film for the last 16 weeks in a row. The Rock owns action. Your dad probably likes The Rock.

If Dad’s Into the Classics

You won’t do better in this department than Warner Bros.’ impressive box set for “The Clint Eastwood 20-Film Collection,” featuring highlights from the legend’s multi-decade career. Everything from “Dirty Harry” to “Unforgiven” to “Mystic River” to “Trouble with the Curve” makes an appearance here and it’s filled out with two documentary features, a hardcover book, and a nice package. There are some odd choices and some missing films but it’s a gift dad will definitely adore.

He’d also probably like “Mad Max Trilogy,” just released as buzz is building for “Mad Max: Fury Road”. Next year’s reboot of the George Miller franchise sans Mel Gibson is going to require some peopel do their homework to catch up on a series that ended more than a quarter-century ago. Your dad may want to travel Down Under again.

A whole lot of dads out there are mesmerized every time a Bruce Lee film pops up on cable. If your pop is one of those, “Enter the Dragon” hits the format for the first time this week in a lavish set.

No Pryor Restraint Photo credit: Shout Factory

Finally, there’s the always-great Criterion Collection. Maybe dad’s reappraising life as he gets a little over the hill? “Wild Strawberries” just hit the Criterion Blu-ray selection list this week. Or perhaps Westerns like “Jubal” and “3:10 to Yuma,” both brand new to Criterion, are more his speed.

If Dad Carves His Own Path

Maybe he’s not into action, can’t stand TV, and doesn’t do classic flicks. What about those dads who do their own thing? Personally, I think dad may be pleasantly surprised by one of the smartest cartoons on TV right now, Cartoon Network’s “Adventure Time,” both seasons just released on Blu-ray.

Finally, there’s the gorgeous, massive box set from Shout Factory that pays tribute to a comedy legend, “Richard Pryor: No Pryor Restraint.” The set includes three complete concert films - “Live in Concert,” “Live on the Sunset Strip,” and “…Here and Now”. It also includes seven CDS that collect his best stand-up material from fifteen years of classic album as well as rare tracks. It’s a gem. Like your dad.

By BRIAN TALLERICO Content Director HollywoodChicago.com brian@hollywoodchicago.com