Normally I’d be deriding the shameless consumerism of Christmas.
The special editions, the special offers, the special prices, the special gifts to make loved ones feel special because it is unheard of to do that at any other time of the year...
But this year I am mystified by the sheer bad planning of DVD vendors during the seasonal period.
DVDs make great presents. They make easy presents. But easy in a good way; not lazy. A great movie can be a family treat or just a treat for an individual that they can enjoy again and again. A good movie can be an immersive experience, a flight of escapism. A good movie can uplift and enlighten.
It can also keep the kids occupied and out of your hair for up to 2 hours.
Movies are great.
I had a list of DVDs that I knew would make great presents for people this year. I’m not going to list them; just take it from me that they were all great, I have superb taste and I would have got you all something wonderful (because, yeah, I was going to send you all presents this Christmas but the vendors have foiled my plans).
I ploughed through my list online, tapping into my usual stockists and suppliers.
About 70% of the DVDs on my list aren’t being released until the New Year. That’s right. A frustratingly whopping 70%.
DVD after DVD crossed off my potential gift list.
DVD after DVD which I am now not going to buy.
To me it seems idiotic. The film industry is being hit by the recession like every other industry. Surely their marketeers must know that Christmas is the prime selling point of the year? The time when their wares fly of the shelves like chestnuts from an open fire proffered by an old bearded man in a stovepipe hat and fingerless mittens?
This is an immense lack of foresight and forward planning. Idiocy on a fathomless scale. It’s like Quality Street not selling their Christmas selection tin until March.
Now I know this is just a small gripe in the bigger scheme of things. Worse things happen at sea. Or even at the BBC. I know this. I’m not getting angina because of it.
I’m just saying, if you’re wondering why you haven’t received a Christmas present from me this year it’s because Debbie Does Derby isn’t being released until mid April.
And that’s it. There's nothing I can do about it. The DVD vendors plainly don’t believe in Father Christmas.
Sorry.
It looks like you’re stuck with Harry Hill’s Festive Burp on the telly.
22 comments:
Drat ! Double Drat ! Sounds like the Grinch was whispering in their ears...
Owen: yup. They've right royally Scrooged us all.
'Debbie Does Derby'? There I was thinking you'd choose classic hokum like 'The Poseidon Adventure' and you mention an art house movie. Have you considered the possibility that most people don't give DVDs as Christmas presents? It might be a quirky gift favoured by beardy types on the fringe of the entertainment industry.
Gorilla Bananas: if you don't want German Goo Girls Volume 7 just send it back to me in the post.
They don't want you sitting at home watching DVD's when you could be at the flicks watching 'Les Mis' or some other Christmas blockbuster. Wouldn't it be fun if, everytime someone commented, you picked which film would be their viewing of preference (did that come out right?I've had a huge extraction done today....tooth that is!). Have a good weekend my friend.
Nana Go-Go: I'm going to see The Hobbit next Saturday. That says everything about me that you need to know.
I like getting DVDs as pressies but as I'm still watching the box set of the first series of The Killing, I think you could just get me one that's been out for a year or so. No need to wait until the New Year for current ones :-)
Trish: Chorlton & The Wheelies it is then? ;-)
I am a DVD/Blu Ray maniac...I don't wait until I get them as presents (it would be a long wait) I just treat myself...every pay day is Christmas as it were
Löst Jimmy: I'm the same but having to wait until March for Game of Thrones 2 when I got Game of Thrones 1 in December last year is galling...!
Glad to hear you are supporting the NZ film industry Steve. I wonder if the DVD marketing managers are suffering from a touch of anti-Christmas PC-ness.
Lady Mondegreen's Secret Garden: me and Pete Jackson... we're like that...
Owing to a long running family joke, I have been trying to find China Beach on DVD for so long that I think it must be on your list!!
Amanda: is this any good to you - https://tvdvd.info/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=148
Movies in recent years haven't impressed me terribly much anyway. What I want is a really good copy of International Velvet. That's bound to already be released, given that it's from the 1970's. On the other hand...
All good things come to those who wait.
Just rewatch series One again.
The verification word today was Oftale. Is that the government board that monitors the Brother's Grimm ?
I'm slightly (only slightly worried mind you) that Steve and I know about "German Goo Girls Volume 7".
It's not a patch on "Now That's What I Call Music 83"
Being Me: did you mean National Velvet? Might be why you can't find it...! ;-p
Keith: the world is in a bad way indeed if we are having to monitor fairytales...
Marginalia: the internet is both a wonderful and a terrible thing.
No, man! I mean International Velvet! Made me fall in love with a young Anthony Hopkins (and an older Christopher Plummer). A movie about horses and a girl who goes to the Olympics representing Britain in the 3 day event.
Being Me: blimey. There's an International Velvet, a National Velvet and even a Tipping The Velvet. But I don't think the last one is about horse racing...
Perhaps if you didn't have such... ahem... "specialist"... tastes...
Rol: the specialist ones usually have their marketing departments well oiled and in gear. It's the mainstream DVDs that are being tardy this year!
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