The latest box from Amazon

Since getting Netflix (finally) earlier this year, I have to admit, my Amazon purchases have gone wayyyy down.  I don't buy many CD's anymore, and now I don't buy many DVD's either... basically, I just turn to Amazon when I need new reading material, which isn't very often since my book shelf is loaded with un-read books I've collected over the years.

But recently, I had the urge to make a few DVD purchases - of things that aren't on Netflix, unfortunately - and they arrived in the mail last night.  This is the odd line-up of what was in my latest box from Amazon:

When Gene Wilder passed away a few weeks ago, I read a lot about what a genius he was as an actor and a comedian.  Sadly, I couldn't join in on the Gene Wilder mourning & remembrances, because I don't think I'd ever seen any of his work.  I remember a while back the hosts of Hot 89.9's Morning Hot Tub talking about how amazing he was as Willy Wonka, and how nobody could ever pull off the creepy, wild-eyed genius that he portrayed in that film, and I've been wanting to see it ever since.  Less than $5 to buy it?  Done deal.

Yet another of Gene Wilder's most acclaimed films, I've heard a lot about Young Frankenstein in the weeks since he passed.  Jimmy Fallon had Mel Brooks on his show shortly after Wilder's death, and he discussed their friendship and how Gene had come to him with the idea for this movie.  Jimmy raved about how awesome this movie was, so I knew I wanted to see it.  And now that it's "scary movie time of year", it should fit in nicely.  Especially since apparently it's more funny than scary. ha!

OK.  So.  This is probably the most bizarre DVD on the list.  Why, Jillian?  WHY are you buying a DVD with not one but THREE Ernest movies on it?  Who the hell still needs ERNEST in their lives?!?  Well, here's the story:  last year coming on to Halloween, I had a movie night with my friend Caryl and her daughter Gracie.  We thought it would be fun to introduce Gracie to one of our favourite Halloweenie movies from when we were kids, Hocus Pocus.  We had pizza and fun Halloween treats and watched the movie, and Gracie seemed to love it.  So I wanted to continue the tradition this year.  The hard part was trying to think of another age-appropriate Halloween movie for her, and especially one from our younger days (our parents let us watch the craziest things!!)  I thought of Ernest Scared Stupid, and the only way I could buy it through Amazon was in this Ernest triple feature.  I'm going to try and watch it first myself, because honestly, I barely remember it, and I have no idea if it's something kids today would like.  I just remember being excited to rent it when it came to St. Laurent's when I was a kid, and Ernest movies hold a place in my heart.  Thank God, because I know own three of them. ;)

This is one of those movies that I have a love/hate relationship with.  It's one I watched back in high school with a bunch of friends at a sleepover, back in the days when we watched scary movies all the time.  This one stands out as one of my favourites, mainly because I think Jared Leto was at his ever-lovin' hottest in this flick.  Urban legends have always freaked me out, so understandably, this movie scares the pants off me.  I don't know if I'll actually be able to watch this one alone now, or if I'll just save it for next year's Scary Movie Marathon (it has not made the cut for this year.)

And this purchase is one I never would have made except for Ryan being involved in the planning of this year's Scary Movie Marathon. HA!  As I mentioned last week, we decided to each choose a movie this year, and this one was Ryan's choice.  I usually pick movies that I've seen before so I know I won't be too scared by them.  I have never seen this one, but I admit to being a little excited (and very much terrified) to watch it at the end of October.  I don't think I could ever do it alone, though, and thus I'm glad it will be in the company of friends during Scary Movie Marathon!