Elf (DVD)

The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper. W.B. Yeats Elf (InfinifilmEdition)2003 outwits cynicism with innocent wonder and joy. Human orphanage resident Buddy(WillFerrell) climbs inside Santa(EdwardAsner)'s pack and ends up at the NorthPole. Buddy is adopted by PapaElf(BobNewhart) and raised amidst teeny toilets and demanding toy production schedules. Diet is composed of cookies maple syrup and sugar. Papa finally discloses that 36yo Buddy is adopted. Before she died, Buddy's biological mom left a photo and the name WalterHobbs(JamesCaan) a profit-driven child book publisher as Buddy's biological dad. PapaElf gifts Buddy a snow globe to help guide Buddy to NYC EmpireStateBuilding (SleeplessInSeattle1993 TomHanks MegRyan). Walter's wife EmilyHobbs(MarySteenburgen) raises their 8yo Michael(DanielTay Yale CornellMedicalSchool focus on autism research) alone since Walter is too busy with work. MarySteenburgen has plum roles to offer for her own children and grandchildren to enjoy, like OneMagicChristmas1985, BackToTheFuture III 1990 and DidYouHearAboutTheMorgans?2009. Buddy decides to find his biological dad, discovers half-brother Michael and brings maple syrup, cookies candy, sugar and more sugar to spaghetti. At Gimbels 36yo Buddy6'3" meets shy bathroom singer Jovie(ZooeyDeschanel21yo 5'5" who crafts and sings for creatively coping with her ADHD) in the toy department. Jovie's social anxiety prevents her from singing her heartfilled joy in front of others. Jovie and Buddy share a hilarious duet BabyIt'sColdOutside in the employees bathroom. I laughed out loud. I really can't stay (But, baby, it's cold outside) I've got to go away (But, baby, it's cold outside) This evening has been (Been hoping that you'd drop in) So very nice (I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice) My mother will start to worry (Beautiful, what's your hurry?) My father will be pacing the floor (Listen to the fireplace roar) So, really, I'd better scurry (Beautiful, please don't hurry) But maybe just a half a drink more (Put some records on while I pour) Say, what's in this drink? (No cabs to be had out there) I wish I knew how (Your eyes are like starlight now) To break this spell (I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell) I ought to say, "No, no, no, sir" (Mind if I move in closer?) At least I'm gonna say that I tried (What's the sense of hurtin' my pride?) I really can't stay (Oh, baby, don't hold out) Ah, but (Baby) it's cold outside I simply must go (But, baby, it's cold outside) The answer is no (But, baby, it's cold outside) Your welcome has been (How lucky that you dropped in) So nice and warm (Look out the window at the storm) My sister will be suspicious (Gosh, your lips look delicious) My brother will be there at the door (Waves upon the tropical shore) My maiden aunt's mind is vicious (Gosh, your lips are delicious) But maybe just a cigarette more (Never such a blizzard before) I've gotta get home (But, baby, you'd freeze out there) Say, lend me a coat (It's up to your knees out there) You've really been grand (I thrill when you touch my hand) But don't you see? (How can you do this thing to me?) There's bound to be talk tomorrow (Think of my lifelong sorrow) At least there will be plenty implied (If you got pneumonia and died) I really can't stay (Get over that ol' doubt) Baby, it's cold Baby, it's cold outside Buddy saves a low Clausometer Christmas by cutting paper snowflakes, making paper chains, and winding twinkly lights, his training by PapaElf in Santa sleigh Turbo-engine mechanics when ChristmasSpirit is insufficient, and Walter's successful publication of Buddy's adventure. Buddy enjoys reading aloud at storytime his own true life history to listening tots. Elf (Infinifilm Edition) disc plays on my TV with CC ClosedCaptions. I can't decipher which menu option would open Subtitles. Click on Help then Next to find InfinifilmFeatures which play with CC. Warning: CC does not transmit via HDMI cable to TV screen. The connection needs to be via 3wires white red yellow between player and TV. Elf has delightful StopAction SouthernTwang LeonTheSnowman hat sunglasses and mustache parodying LeonRedbone Snowman's voice, StopAction Narwal(JonFavreau) puffin polar bear and walrus, memorable music, Commentary by DirectorJonFavreau whose Ashkenazi Jewish mom elementary school teacher Madeleine died of leukemia when he was 13yo, he was raised by Catholic ItalianFrenchCanadian dad, Favreau's goal in Elf was to evoke 1980s TV ChristmasSpecial with venerable TV stars like BobNewhart and EdwardAsner, old style ForcedPerspective and StopAction visual effects and hope that 30years from now Elf will still bring joy and laughter to children and the child's heart of adults, Commentary by WillFerrell USC1986freshman honoraryPhD2017, and BehindTheScenes visual details like how they made 6'3"Buddy appear next to 4' elves with their small EtchASketches with MrPotatoHead audience, both NationalToyHall of Fame inductees. We attended an employee party this weekend where one couple was dressed as Buddy and Jovie. Buddy looked identical to the film. That encounter inspired revisiting Elf's uproarious laughter. Elf's joyful innocence and seasonal music is a reminder to be grateful for what is, and to work to preserve relationships with attention time and affection. Atop physical comedy and humorous writing, Elf atmosphere is infused with jazz greats LouisPrima EarthaKitt WayneNewton StevieWonder RayCharles (ChristmasSongChestnutsRoasting on an OpenFire in LoveAffair1994 WarrenBeatty AnnetteBening). Elf is a sugar celebration for the ears, eyes and belly laughter internal massage. 5*Elf is a joy filled pick me up any day a smile is needed to combat crankiness (PutOnAHappyFace ByeByeBirdie or LostInAusten Pride&Prejudice parody JemimaRooper HappyFace!). Caveat: CC closed captions do not transmit via HDMI cable to the TV. Instead of black bars top and bottom for widescreen the Infinifilm disc seems to bleed beyond the screen borders top and bottom on my TV. Musical highlights Pennies From Heaven1936 ArthurJohnston Lyrics JohnnyBurke Performed by LouisPrima Sleigh Ride1948 LeroyAnderson MitchellParish Performed by ArtFerrante LouTeicher Santa Claus Party EddiePola GeorgeWyle Performed by LesBaxter Santa Baby1953 PhilipSpringer Lyrics JoanJavits TonySpringer Performed by EarthaKitt Nutcracker Suite, Op.71a 1891-2 Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky(uncredited) Performed by TheBrianSetzerOrchestra Baby, It's Cold Outside1949 FrankLoesser Performed by WillFerrell LeonRedbone ZooeyDeschanel Sleigh Ride1948 LeroyAnderson MitchellParish Performed by EllaFitzgerald FrankDeVolOrchestra Jingle Bell Rock1957 JoeBeal JimBoothe Performed by WayneNewton What Christmas Means to Me1967 GeorgeGordy AllenStory AnnaGordyGaye Performed by StevieWonder Christmas Island1946 LyleMoraine Performed by LeonRedbone FrankSinatra Brollic Ft MarvinGaye Performed by Ft Nothing from Nothing1974 BillyPreston BruceFisher Performed by BillyPreston Christmas Stylee1992 JohnnieOsbourne CoxsoneDodd Performed by JohnnieOsbourne Whoomp! There It Is1993 StephenGibson CecilGlenn Performed by TagTeam You Make Me Feel So Young1946 JosefMyrow MackGordon Performed by FrankSinatra Santa Claus is Comin' to Town1934 JFredCoots HavenGillespie Sung by ZooeyDeschanel MarySteenburgen DanielTay JamesCaan NYC CentralPark Winter Wonderland1934 FelixBernard RichardBSmith (DickSmith) Performed by RayCharles Baby, It's Cold Outside1949 FrankLoesser Performed by LeonRedbone ZooeyDeschanel singing through end credits Pop! Goes the Weasel (uncredited) Traditional 17thC English Jack-in-the-Box music boxes Auld Lang Syne1788 (uncredited)Traditional Scottish 17thC Lyrics by RobertBurns Performed on piano by JamesCaan sung by Zooey Deschanel for the blended Hobbs' family NewYear followed by closing visit with GrandPapaElf "Come here little one" I choked with laughter ;-)

Funny movie! Will Ferrell is great in this movie!

While I am not a huge Will Ferrel fan, I do love this movie. It is a lot of fun to watch. No one seems to run it until super late in the holiday season, so we finally bought it. I'd never heard of "Infinifilm" before, so wasn't sure what to expect. Basically, after you watch the movie in regular mode first, you can watch it afterwards in "Infinifilm" mode. There are popup links on the bottom of the screen which can be clicked on, which take you into more detail about certain aspects of the movie itself. We've been trying out a few of them, and they are fun for movie buffs or anyone interested in the behind-the-scenes information. The only thing that didn't make much sense about it was that we bought a brand new DVD, but the Infinifilm part refers to something being on "Disc 2". There was only ONE disc in the package. So, not sure what the scoop is on that one. I believe this is a fun addition to everyone's holiday viewing movie collection. Good old fashioned holiday fun. No worries about those who do not like the religious aspect - there is nothing mentioned in here on that one. And the nice part about owning the movie is that you get to see the entire thing, instead of whatever scenes the tv stations have decided to show you. We have seen this movie several times on tv over the last few years, but with the DVD, we've seen quite a few smaller scenes that were never included in the tv versions. (And one of my favorite parts that we've used at our house is the big cola belch, followed by "did you hear that?" Haha! Fun for the family, nothing dirty, no visible nudity, just holiday entertainment.

A very funny movie. This movie shines due to Will Ferell's character actor approach to comedy. He "is Buddy" a Human raised as an Elf and it comes out in everything he does. Not to be forgotten is James Caan's peformance as Buddy's father which is dead-on. A positive Christmas film.

Great movie. Watch it the first night I got it.

Another fun Christmas themed film to add to our holiday collection of physical media. Very grateful for the product's condition, quick service, rapid delivery and content & packaging! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Love this movie super funny

I've loved "Elf" since I first watched it. It's one of my traditional Christmas movies. I'm also a physical media collector. I've owned a copy of "Elf" on DVD for almost 20 years. I updated my copy in 2023 to the 4K release. I didn't get around to watching it until Dec 2024. (I watched it in the theater last year!). I have a decent 4K setup (TV = LG CX 55", Player = Panasonic UB820, Sound = LG SP9YA plus the LG SPK8 rear speakers). I very much dislike film grain "Elf" in 4k probably couldn't look any better. In my opinion the picture looks spectacular. The colors and lighting are great (running in Home Cinema mode w HDR). Even in Vivid the movie looks OK. For a two decade old movie, that ain't bad. Film grain is minimal, a bit more noticeable in the lower light scenes. Audio is DTS-HD. "Elf" isn't exactly an audio master piece. There aren't a lot of scenes in the movie which could use a really good soundscape. The mailroom scenes could have used some surround, the people working, the machinery. Over all, sounds like stereo to me. Special Features: not really on this version. There's a couple of audio commentaries, no deleted scenes, bloopers or any other standard features. If you love the movie and have a decent 4K setup I recommend the 4K version. I do have the Blu-ray (as it comes with this package) but haven't watched it so I can't commend on the difference between the blu-ray and 4K.

とてもお気に入りの映画です。英語字幕がなかなか出せなくてちょっと苦労しましたが‥(;^_^A

This is a classic movie. The homer is herlourus, it's fun and charming. There is a line in the movie "there is no Christmas Spirit Anymore" and although this is true these days, if you want to see something with Christmas Spirit in it, this is a good movie for that, it's very wholesome. Some of the jokes may not be that funny for older audiences and it is PG for a reason(i.e. a joke about burping). This Blue Ray is packed with feactuers, I watched them last year and it made the 1.5 hours experience around 2.5 hours long.

Pues llega con un bonito slipcover comer algo desgastado, pero de calidad aceptable. La imagen eso si es una mejorar sustancias desde el viejo blu-ray convencional y el efecto HDR10 es una ganancia tangible de esta mejora. La calidad y nitidez es muy buena, que deja atrás los errores del antiguo blu-ray. El sonido en inglés DTS-HD MA 5.1 es muy bueno, así como correcto el español latino Dolby Digital 5.1. Trae subtítulos en ambos idiomas y más, y el código digital es válido solo para USA.

Classic

Me ha gustado el tipo Buddy, los elfos y la chica de la tienda. Lo que no es la forma que trata Walter a Buddy.