Lots Of Great Movies for Guys (& Girls): Action, Drama & Lots More– for Gifting to Dads, Grads and Yourself! "The Wrestler", "Taken"Part 1

Father’s Day, Graduation Day, Anniversary, and birthdays are almost around the corner– and you need to get some fast shopping done– and here are some great ideas for gifts– a couple of DVD’s based on the person’s taste

One of the most-critically acclaimed films of the year, featured on dozens of year-end “top ten” lists and garnering numerous accolades for its once fallen star, The Wrestler debuts on Blu-ray Disc and DVD April 21 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. Darren Aronofsky (Requiem for a Dream, The Fountain) directs Mickey Rourke (Sin City, Man on Fire) in a career-defining role as Randy “The Ram” Robinson, a veteran performer on the professional wrestling circuit who is desperate to hold on to the fame and glory that once surrounded him. Despite himself and the odds stacked against him,

“The Ram” begins to evaluate his state of life, attempting to reconnect with his estranged daughter and striking up a relationship with an exotic dancer with troubles of her own. Bruised and battered both inside and outside the ring, Randy slowly tries to piece together the life he still has; but the thrill of the show and the passion for his art threatens to take it all away from him once again.
Blu-ray Disc Specs:
The Wrestler Blu-ray Disc is presented in widescreen format 2.35:1 aspect ratio with English 5.1 DTS HD Master Audio, English and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, English, French and Spanish subtitles along with Digital Copy. Individual disc bonus features as follows:
o Within the Ring featurette
o Wrestler Round Table
o The Wrestler Music Video – Written and Performed by Bruce Springsteen
Single-Disc DVD Specs:
The Wrestler single-disc DVD is presented in widescreen format 2.35:1 aspect ratio with English 5.1 Dolby Surround. Individual disc bonus features as follows:
o Within the Ring featurette
o The Wrestler Music Video – Written and Performed by Bruce Springsteen
CAVEAT: Please note that this movie is violent and graphic. It’s definitely NOT for kids and might offend some. *( I lent it to someone who absolutely hated it. Others loved it.)
Just be aware of what the content is. Take a look at youtube.com for clips

This highly under-rated movie (well under-rated because of Neeson’s performance, but key characters were not so believeable) should definitely be on your list– particularly if you have a teen or college-age kid. (really– it’s struck home with several people who have kids that talk about going to Europe flying solo)

Academy Award®-nominee* Liam Neeson (Schindler’s List) stars as Brian Mills, a former secret agent trained in hand to hand combat who struggles as a divorcee and father of 17-year old Kim (Maggie Grace, “Lost”). Living with Brian’s ex-wife Lenore (Famke Jansson, X-Men: The Last Stand), Kim rarely gets the chance to see her father, but when she does he is often smothering in his attentiveness. When the opportunity arises to travel to Europe with her best friend, Kim convinces her dad to let her go on the trip by not sharing some very important details. The first stop for the girls is Paris, but hours after they arrive they are victims of a disturbing break-in and abducted by an Albanian criminal organization. With only 96 hours to find his daughter before she will disappear forever, time is running out and Brian Mills must put his CIA expertise to the test before its too late.
This is an action-packed, suspenseful and excitement-filled movied at every turn. Taken Blu-ray Disc and DVD reveal an intense two-disc extended cut of the film with Digital Copy for portable media players. Additional bonus features include audio commentaries by the director, writer and cinematographers, exclusive behind-the-scenes “making of” featurette and action packed side-by-side comparisons. Taken will be available to own on Blu-ray Disc for $39.99 U.S. / $49.99 Canada, on two-disc DVD for $34.98 U.S. / $45.98 Canada, and on standard DVD for $29.98 U.S. / $43.48 Canada.
Two-Disc Extended Cut Blu-ray Disc Specs:
The Taken Extended Cut Blu-ray Disc (BD) is presented in widescreen format (2.40:01) with English 5.1 Dolby Digital Sound and Spanish/French Dolby Surround with English, French and Spanish subtitles. Bonus features include:
Disc One
o Extended Cut seamlessly branched with Audio commentary with Director Pierre Morel, Writer Mark Kamen, and Cinematographers Michael Abramowicz and Michael Julienne
o Exclusive Le “Making Of” featurette
o Inside Action: Side by Side Comparisons of:
• Peter Dies
• Bryan Escapes Construction Site
• Good Luck
• The Interrogation
• Bryan at Saint Clair’s
• Boat Fight
o Black OPS Field Manual
o Avant Premiere
Disc Two
o Digital Copy File of Taken for Portable Players
Two-Disc Extended Cut DVD Specs:
The Taken two-disc Extended Cut DVD is presented in widescreen format (2.40:01) with English 5.1 Dolby Digital Sound and Spanish/French Dolby Surround with English, French and Spanish subtitles. Bonus features include:
Disc One
o Extended Cut seamlessly branched with Audio commentary with Director Pierre Morel, Writer Mark Kamen, and Cinematographers Michael Abramowicz and Michael Julienne
o Exclusive Le “Making Of” featurette
o Inside Action: Side by Side Comparisons of:
• Peter Dies
• Bryan Escapes Construction Site
• Good Luck
• The Interrogation
• Bryan at Saint Clair’s
• Boat Fight
o Avant Premiere
Disc Two
o Digital Copy File of Taken for Portable Players
Single-Disc Extended Cut DVD Specs:
The Taken single-disc Extended Cut DVD is presented in widescreen format (2.40:01) with English 5.1 Dolby Surround and Spanish/French Dolby Surround with English, French and Spanish subtitles.
If you like intense dramas, these both work. If you like more action-packed “thriller” movies, and didn’t see Taken in theaters– see it on DVD. I saw it in a theater and it was worth every buck I paid!
Stevie Wilson