The Muppet Christmas Carol marked a key transition in the life of its parent company, Jim Henson Productions.  It was the first movie released after Henson’s untimely death, and represents a radical departure from previous Muppet films. They based it on previously existing material, for starters, and the Muppets played specific characters rather than versions of themselves. It also featured a live performer (Michael Caine) front and center: a risky move since his costars have a tendency to upstage everyone. Despite those changes, the film itself holds up quite well, and its release on Blu-ray aptly demonstrates why. Hit the jump for my full review.

This week on Blu-ray, we’re finally able to delve into the deleted scenes from The Amazing Spider-Man, a few Christmas titles get Blu-ray releases, and the entirety of HBO’s Entourage hits the format.  Briefly:

• The Amazing Spider-Man (Limited Edition Four-Disc Combo: Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray/DVD with Figurines) - $59.96 (38% off)
• The Amazing Spider-Man (Four-Disc Combo: Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray/DVD + UltraViolet Digital Copy) - $27.99 (50% off)
• The Amazing Spider-Man (Three-Disc Combo: Blu-ray / DVD + UltraViolet Digital Copy) – $18.96 (54% off)
• Arthur Christmas (Three Discs: Blu-ray 3D / Blu-ray / DVD + UltraViolet Digital Copy) – $27.99 (50% off)
• Arthur Christmas (Two Discs: Blu-ray / DVD + UltraViolet Digital Copy) – $21.96 (46% off)
• Entourage: The Complete Series [Blu-ray] – $139.99 (53% off)
• The Muppet Christmas Carol (20th Anniversary Edition) [Blu-ray] – $17.86 (33% off)
• Rashomon (Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray] – $24.99 (37% off)
• Sunset Boulevard [Blu-ray] – $18.99 (30% off)
• Sweet Home Alabama [Blu-ray] – $14.96 (25% off)
• They Live (Collector’s Edition) [Blu-ray]- $19.86 (34% off)

Hit the jump for all the details.

Holiday films are an important American pastime. However, such a genre requires skill to execute. One must include all of the important ingredients, namely two cups of heart, a dash of fantastical whimsy and a good ole spoonful of yuletide rejuvenation, in order for a traditional holiday film to work. With that in mind, we here at Collider decided to compile a “best of” list – of sorts. Included within are personal favorites of the staff, or the films we all grew up watching during those festive afternoons when school was canceled due to winter storms, or during Thanksgiving or Christmas break. At their best, these films represent a merry tradition, one honored in most American households – these are the films we believe soundly capture the spirit of the holidays. They may not be the most critically acclaimed films (sorry Holiday Inn), but they provide the aforementioned ingredients plus one additional key element – nostalgia, or a remembrance of youth. A time and place when we believed Santa and his reindeer could fly; and that wishes could come true. Hit the jump to see the list.