There’s a fair amount of optimism in the home entertainment industry that the films and TV shows on Ultra-High-Definition Blu-ray Disc will reenvigorate the physical media category. While this may not happen in time for the holiday buying season 2015, just a short eighteen days from wrapping up, it will definitely be in full swing by next year.
4K TVs sales are already rising. As we discussed in an earlier blog post,
However, there are still several obstacles to widescale market penetration. As RapidTVNews correctly points out, “…low familiarity, low willingness to pay premium prices, content concerns and a cooling market for flat panels in general all present challenges to 4K.“
How might one enourage 4K TV sales, and, concurrently, UDH Blu-ray player and UHD Blu-ray Discs?
There’s a time tested and venerable strategy to goose hardware sales: Make software (or content) widely available. Why did Apple launch iTunes? To sell iPods. Why did Sony push for the release of films on VHS? To sell VCRs.
The same strategy can be successfully employed to power 4K TVs (and Blu-ray players, BTW). To induce consumers to trade up to a 4K TV, tempt them with content which collectors and familes enjoy. And, in deference to the holiday season, we offer our list of five classic holiday movies which would bring a Christmas miracle to retailers and consumers alike:
1) Elf — Feel good, with laughs and Christmas spirit to spare, this is a modern classic which inspired millions of kids to wonder, “What DOES spaghetti and syrup taste like?” Featuring Will Farrell, Zooey Deschanel, Bob Newhart, James Caan, Peter Dinklage.
Can’t Miss Quote: “We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup.”
2) Love Actually — A skillfully woven tales of intersecting holiday stories, here’s a Christmas film with enough edge to be fun for adults. A cast which includes just about everybody, and a slew of British accents to boot! Martin Freeman, Denise Richards, Emma Thomson…
Can’t Miss Quote: “Sam, you’ve got nothin’ to lose, and you’ll always regret it if you don’t! I never told your mom enough. I should have told her everyday because she was perfect everyday. You’ve seen the films, kiddo. It ain’t over ’til its over.”
3) Die Hard 1 & 2 — Yes, this is cheating, cuz these are two movies…but, really, are they two? Or just one mega-one. John McClane wreaks havoc on the plans of evildoers, with lots of holiday spirit AND explosions.
Can’t Miss Quote: “Just once, I’d like a regular, normal Christmas. Eggnog, a fuckin’ Christmas tree, a little turkey. But, no. I gotta crawl around in this mother^(#&in’ tin can.”
4) Scrooged — A personal favorite which updates A Christmas Carol with the magic that is Bill Murray.
Can’t Miss Quote: “I get it. You’re taking me back in time to show me my mother and father, and I’m supposed to get all goosey and blubbery. Well, forget it, pal, you got the wrong guy!”
“That’s exactly what Attila the Hun said. But when he saw his mother… Niagara Falls”!
5) The Ref — An oft-overlooked gem which puts on-the-lam burglar Denis Leary in the position to ‘referee’ the marital difficulties of Kevin Spacey and Judy Davis. Sharp writing, rapier wit.
Can’t Miss Quote: “You know what I’m going to get you next Christmas, Mom? A big wooden cross, so that every time you feel unappreciated for your sacrifices, you can climb on up and nail yourself to it.”
Even if these modern classics won’t be available on UHD for this holiday, you can still feel the holiday spirit via Blu-ray and DVD!
Happy holidays!