Just in time for the holidays, Amazon.com is releasing a series of five short films that highlight products in their vast catalog. The first film, Portrait, stars Minnie Driver, Amanda Detmer, and a number of products including:

• handheld gadgets:
  • the Jabra FreeSpeak 250 Headset,
  • the Nokia 6600 Mobile Phone, and
  • the Motorola V600 Mobile Phone,
• women's fashions like the BCBG Max Azria Double Face Skirt, and
• Sephora cosmetics such as Sephora WaterColors - Cooling Collection.

According to the Amazon.com press release, "Amazon Theater enables customers to enjoy world-class short films free-of-charge, visit special artist boutiques to learn more about their favorite actors, and purchase products that they've seen in the films -- all in a uniquely Amazon.com environment."

The Amazon Theater films are produced by RSA USA, Ridley and Tony Scott's production company, in conjunction with Fallon Worldwide. They are similar in concept to the BMW Films produced beginning in 2001. The remaining four films will be released on the consecutive Tuesdays.

I watched "Portrait" in Flash and QuickTime and I thought it was really interesting. I'm planning to watch each of them as they are released.