Never saw "Mystic River", but have seen "Cast Awat" a couple times, and parts thereof, but I wouldn't own either.

Question here is, because no ones really asked it, why such old movies as choices? OK, Mystic River is just ~1 year old, but Cast Away is about 2 or 3 years old now isn't it? So what I'm saying is that if your friend would be interested in these movies, wouldn't he have gotten it/them already?

For a gift, I'd be getting someone a relatively new release. Something that they'd want to buy, but just hadn't gotten around to it yet. I know if I would get Mystic River for Xmas, that sumbitch would be going back to the store for something else the next day. I might tolerate Cast Away, but it wouldn't be thrilled about it.

Wow, Mike, that's rather absurd. Taking a movie back because it wasn't made in 2004?

And the reason I (and most likely everyone) pick up older releases? Guess! Cause I haven't gotten around to it.

BTW, Cast Away came out in 2000 (making it four years old).

I would go for Cast Away even though I personally like Mystic River better as a film. I don't know if Cast Away has a ton of rewatchability but Mystic River definitely is a film that can not be watched often IMO. I would not buy either for myself, though. I think their are a lot of dvds out there that can be watched a lot more than either of those films.

I agree with the above poster, that is absurd. Getting someone a gift they like, reguardless of when it came out is better.

Back on topic though, I say between the two, Cast Away. See if you can get the two disc version.

here's another vote for Cast Away.

Well, OK....if they like it fine, but getting it just becase is a different story. The point that I was trying to make, and apparently failed at miserably, is if his friend has expressed interest in one or both of the movies, then, fine...but if the original poster has these two titles in mind, just because, then my original post and thought stands.

Using my own interests in film and what I get on DVD, I know I wouldn't be interested in owning either of those two films...but that's just me.

A 2 hour FEDEX infomercial or one of the best films of 2003, that's a real tough choice.

I agree, get him one of the best films of 2003. But since his choice is limited to Castaway and Mystic River, there's no chance of that happening.

Cast Away.