The Great DVD Easter Egg Hunt

In recent years as the price of DVD's and players have dropped, thanks in no small part to big retailers like Wal-Mart, the number of people who collect movies has risen dramatically. A lot of these people are drawn to all the collectors edition type DVD's and all the added features that come on most new releases nowadays. What they may not be aware of are the hidden gems contained on the discs that are not listed in the menu. These have come to be known as "Easter Eggs", and it has become a quest for many to try and find as many of these as possible. I'm going to list 6 of the best in no particular order.

1. The Sixth Sense - You have to choose "Bonus Materials" from the main menu and then scroll to the bottom and select "More". At the bottom of the page that opens you will see a jewelry box. Clicking on that will cause the lid to open revealing a videotape that says "Nights First Horror Film", and you are then treated to a 1 and a half minute short that director M. Night Shyamalan made when he was just 11 years old. Hokey, but cool nonetheless.

2. Planet Of The Apes - This is the re-make disc, not the original and the "Easter Egg" on this one makes the list thanks to its just plain kookiness. From the main menu select "Special Features" then click on "Commentaries", press the down arrow twice and you'll discover a film commentary done entirely in ape language. A particular favorite with Michael Jackson's pet chimp Bubbles.

3. Star Wars III - Revenge Of The Sith - Finding this one is a little more involved but the payoff, especially for die-hard Star Wars fans is well worth it. From the main menu go to "Options" and click enter. At this point you have to enter the numbers 1 1 3 8 using you remote (with some remotes you may need to click enter after each number). This will reveal a short scene with Yoda doing a rap...Yo, Yo, Yoda!!

4. V For Vendetta - Not only a great movie but a very funny little "Easter Egg" in this one. From the main menu go to "Special Features". On the second page of these features you'll see a clear set of wings. Press down on your remote until the wings turn black. Press enter and you'll be treated to Natalie Portman's "Bad Girl" sketch from her appearance on Saturday Night Live. Very funny little skit.

5. Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me - From the main menu select "Special Features" and then wait about 30 seconds or so until Dr Evil's spaceship appears onscreen. As the ship flies to the top of the screen it will leave an "E" in its wake. Click over to the "E" and when it turns red press enter. This will bring up "Dr Evil's Special Features" which contains 4 hidden shorts including a mockumentary called "The Dr Evil Story"

6. Cast Away - Have you ever watched this movie and wondered what the heck was in the Fed-Ex box that Tom Hanks' character has with him throughout the film? Well now, thanks to this little "Easter Egg", all is revealed. From the main menu select "Video & Stills Galleries" and click down to "Raft Escape". Instead of pressing enter at this point, click the left arrow button on your remote which will bring up yellow and blue wings onscreen. Now press enter and watch as director Robert Zemeckis reveals the secrets of the parcel......don't worry, I'm not going to tell.

So there you have it. Just a few of the many "Easter Eggs" that are hiding out there. Why not blow the dust off that DVD collection and get looking for some more. You never know what you might find.