Wes Anderson To American Psycho: Physical Media To Stuff Your Stocking

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The holidays are especially enjoyable for people who express and feel love through gifts, and it’s convenient that we have so many reasons to treat ourselves. Plus, stores both online and in person often offer big discounts during this time.

Even with economic uncertainty, now feels like a good time to indulge a little – to buy something special for someone you care about, or even for yourself. That’s why this month’s collection of physical media isn’t just about new releases, but also includes impressive box sets and other special editions perfect for holiday gifting.

We couldn’t cover every release we love, like the new 4K version of The Sound of Music from Walt Disney Studios, Arrow Video’s fantastic edition of Wild Style, or Vinegar Syndrome’s impressively produced release of Mac and Me. However, we’ve included links at the end of each review so you can easily purchase these titles and guarantee they arrive in time for the holidays or any year-end celebration.

American Psycho (Lionsgate)

Mary Harron’s film, based on Bret Easton Ellis’ novel, is still considered a brilliant satire of modern life, largely thanks to Christian Bale’s iconic performance as Patrick Bateman – a role reportedly inspired by Tom Cruise. To celebrate the film’s 25th anniversary, Lionsgate is releasing a special collector’s edition. This version includes the movie in 4K resolution, plus fun, immersive extras designed to look like items from the film’s world, such as business cards and a Blockbuster membership card. Amazingly, the film itself comes in a CD case with artwork that perfectly mimics the cover of Huey Lewis and the News’ Sports album.

The Wes Anderson Archive: Ten Films, Twenty-Five Years (Criterion)

As a huge Wes Anderson fan, I have to say this collection feels different. It’s got every film he’s ever made – from his early work like Bottle Rocket all the way up to The French Dispatch. And it’s not just having them all together – they’ve been beautifully restored in 4K! Plus, there are a whopping 25 hours of extras. For a lot of us who grew up with his films, they’re incredibly important, and this box set feels like the perfect, solid base for a really special collection.

Catch Me If You Can (Paramount)

As a film critic, I’m thrilled to see Paramount bringing Spielberg’s Catch Me If You Can to 4K for the very first time, along with Minority Report. It’s fantastic that both releases include all the bonus content we’ve come to expect from his films. And personally, Catch Me If You Can has become a yearly tradition in my home around the holidays. To make things even better, Interscope just put John Williams’ delightful score on vinyl for the first time! It’s the perfect pairing for a fantastic Christmas gift – consider it a recommendation from me!

Oscar Michaeux: The Complete Collection (Kino)

As a movie lover, and especially someone interested in film history, I was blown away by the Oscar Micheaux: The Complete Collection. It’s not just a fantastic set of films, but a really important one – it’s a cornerstone of Black cinema! It gathers all of Micheaux’s surviving work, including seven films beautifully restored in 4K. Working with the Library of Congress, this collection really shows how this pioneering Black filmmaker, working way back in the early days of Hollywood, created much more nuanced and realistic depictions of Black life. He actively challenged and overturned the harmful stereotypes that were so common at the time, and that’s incredibly powerful to see.

The Movie Orgy (American Genre Film Archive)

This isn’t an adult film, but a legendary “movie” created in 1968. Joe Dante assembled seven hours of footage – including film clips, commercials, and trailers – into a surprisingly entertaining and unpredictable supercut. The American Genre Film Archives is now releasing it on DVD and Blu-ray for the first time, featuring a 276-minute version with an introduction by Dante and a booklet containing essays and insights from him and others. It’s definitely unusual, but it’s also a captivating experience for any film enthusiast.

Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure (Criterion)

Tim Burton’s first feature film captivated audiences for decades with its playful story, blending the innocence of childhood with witty humor. While a better version of the film has been long awaited, Criterion delivers with a comprehensive release. It includes everything from previous editions – like commentary from Burton and the late Paul Reubens – plus fresh interviews with those who helped bring the movie to life.

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2025-12-07 19:00