Collector's Corner - August 2020
Have you spent the past five months of quarantine binging everything on Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, and even Peacock and Apple TV+? Well, Collector’s Corner is here to save the day! Sometimes all you need is some good old-fashioned physical media because maybe that one movie you really want to watch isn’t available on any streaming platforms or, God forbid, your wi-fi goes out. So prepare your bank account and make some room on your shelf as I give you just some of my MUST OWN picks for the month of August.
Collectables
If you are a big ole nerd like me, you also love to collect Funko Pops along with your other physical media. Earlier this month, Funko announced on their Twitter and Instagram accounts some fun collectibles they are brewing up to make Halloween 2020 feel somewhat normal.
First up is a figure from one of my personal favorite Halloween-set horror films, the cutest killer out there, Sam from “Trick ‘r Treat”! This lil guy will be available, sans killer lollipop, exclusively at Spirit Halloween stores in October for $21.99, and is up for pre-order now.
And we can’t forget the Halloween mainstay for the past 30 years. ”The Simpsons” Treehouse of Horror is adding some more Pop!s to the collection. Which is your favorite?; Grim Reaper Homer, Skateboarding Zombie Bart, or maybe a Vampire Krusty? Most are currently available for pre-order at Walmart for $10.99 each while three others will be BoxLunch, Hot Topic, and GameStop exclusives.
August & September Drops
It isn’t quite summer without a trip to the beach. But with most beaches closed in real life, head to Amity Island…where the beaches are also closed. Bring back every childhood fear in 4K with the 45th Anniversary Limited Edition of “Jaws” for $19.96. Featuring a ton of behind the scenes, deleted scenes, and outtakes but also a 44-page booklet that includes original storyboards!
The Master of Suspense is now in 4K! This collection of 4 of Alfred Hitchcock’s greatest classics has most certainly made my wishlist for its release on September 8th. I have this same collection, but on DVD, so this will be a spectacular upgrade for $64.99. PLUS it has 2 versions of the original 1960 “Psycho” with footage from the original theatrical release and hours of bonus features.
While this section is titled August and September Drops, you are NOT going to want to miss the pre-order for this heavy collector’s box set releasing October 20th. Some, myself included, would argue that the “Back to the Future” trilogy is one of the few perfect trilogies and now it is available in 4K with over an hour of brand new bonus features! It’ll set you back a cool $42.99 or you can get this special 35th Anniversary Giftset with miniature hoverboard replica for $69.98.
Criterion
As a forever film student and a firm believer in physical media, I cannot, in good conscience, talk about collecting blu-rays without talking about Criterions. Each month I’ll be giving you my picks from their upcoming and recent releases but you can browse the entire library on their website.
One of my favorite films of last year, the Netflix Original ”Marriage Story,” was one I never thought we’d get a blu-ray for. So when I saw it was being released, I immediately clicked purchase. Yes, I can watch it whenever I want on Netflix, but where else are you going to get copies of the notes Charlie and Nicole write about each other in therapy or behind the scenes videos of Adam Driver being the complete dork that he is?
I will admit, as much as I like to boast about my film school background, I am woefully lacking in the European cinema department (lookout for future articles rectifying this). Because of that, the complete films of Agnès Varda set is on my wishlist. Containing 22 of this French New Wave co-founder’s greatest works it comes at a steep $199 but will be well worth the price.