The Movie Lover’s Very Tasty Holiday Gift Guide 2008!
So it’s a week before Christmas and you’re all out of ideas for cool gifts. What to do? Don’t fret my pet, cinema, verytasty’s very tasty holiday gift guide is here! Below, you’ll find some gift ideas that range from the casual movie-goer (blurays and boxed sets) to the hardcore fans (Jessica Alba’s blouse from The Eye, anyone?). We’ll start with the simple (but sweet) stuff first.
For The Casual Movie Fan
The Dark Knight Limited Edition Blu-ray Set with Batpod
Of course, this year’s biggest movie tops our list with a cool little collector’s edition blu-ray disc (cause really, DVD won’t suffice for this one). For $47.99, you get The Dark Knight movie, tons of special features and behind-the-scenes footage, and a neat ol’ Batpod on a stand for you and all your friends to geek out over. Sweet deal!
Batman – The Complete Animated Series
Really, one of the things that have made The Dark Knight possible is the ground-breaking animated Batman series from the mid-90’s. The whole dark-and-gritty standard was set with this series, and its utterly cinematic style and reverence to the humanity of the characters certainly played a part in getting the studio on board with Nolan’s vision for the big screen franchise. And now, you can own the complete series in a hot to def boxed set for $75.99. That’s all 109 episodes and their respective special features across 17 discs, as well as a bonus disc with a documentary on the evolution of the animated Batman, all for under 80 bucks! What a steal! The only downside to this is that it’s standard def. Not that this is something that absolutely needs the blu-ray treatment, but it certainly would be cool to have in high def too.
Casablanca Ultimate Collector’s Edition Blu-ray
One of the greatest love stories ever told now has a beautiful ultimate collector’s edition in blu-ray. Included in this package of one of cinema’s most enduring classics is a 48-page photo book, 10 reproduced cards of the film’s one-sheets, a bonus disc with the featurette “Jack Warner: The Last Mogul” – a rare glimpse into the public and private life of one of the most influential names in Hollywood, and an exclusive passport holder and luggage tag. And did we mention you get Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in 1080p glory? All for just $41.49!
For any film fan, what’s better than having Rocky Balboa or Captain Jack Sparrow hang out in your bedroom? Hannah Montana concert tickets too expensive? No problem! You can have Miley Cyrus over for dinner to appease your kids. And who better to ride shotgun in the carpool lane than the Terminator himself? Cops love that guy! Most standup posters start at around $34.99.
For The Geek In All Of Us
Other than the fact that it’s friggin’ adorable, you can plug your mp3 player into the i-Dance WALL-E and not only will he play your music through the built-in speakers, but he’ll even dance to the beat for you! The eyes light up and he’ll respond with voice and sound effects if you talk to him. Currently retailing for $56.24 on Amazon, give somebody the gift of dance and music, featuring the lovable hero from Pixar’s best movie to date.
Mio Knight Rider 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator
Here’s a totally geeky gift idea. For any die-hard Knight Rider fans out there, this sleek GPS Navigator comes with the flashing lights and programmed voice of the original K.I.T.T. Why have an annoying British guy named Nigel give you turn-by-turn directions when you can have the voice of Knight Industry Two Thousand’s microprocessor telling you you just missed your turn? Available for the discounted price of $225.95 on Amazon now!
This 15-pound tome is comprised of two parts – the first contains 800 stills scanned directly from the original film prints and interpositives; the second is a collection of materials from Kubrick’s archives that chronicle and document the filmmaker’s creative process, including photographs, props, set designs, sketches, screenplays, notes, shooting schedules, etc., as well as essays written by and about Kubrick and a collection of his best interviews. “The Stanley Kubrick Archives” is massive, daunting, and a must-have for any Kubrickian enthusiast. Available for $44.10, a steal considering this thing went for almost $200 when it was first released.
Chungking Express Criterion Collection Blu-ray
This is a personal favorite, and something I was geeking out on when it was first announced several months ago. Deftly directed by Wong Kar Wai and poetically lensed by Chris Doyle, this film about two lovelorn police officers in Hong Kong can finally be appreciated in the gorgeousness of 1080p, and with the Criterion treatment, to boot! This gift idea actually goes beyond just Chungking Express, as Criterion has entered the Blu-ray market with a slew of releases, including The Third Man, Bottle Rocket, The Last Emperor, and more. If there was ever a reason to switch to Blu-ray, this is it. Retails for $39.99, but available for $26.99 at Amazon.
For The Die Hard Fan
From James Bond themed Rolexes, to the Walther PPK (007’s weapon of choice from Dr. No through to Tomorrow Never Dies), to the Aston Martins, JamesBondLifestyle.com has all sorts of Bond gear and gadgetry to satisfy even the most obsessed of fans. The inventory is bizarrely varied; whether it’s Bond’s favorite cologne or the submachine gun he uses to shoot down a baddie at the end of Casino Royale (this is a spoiler-free article, after all), you can find it on the site. Your pocketbook better be as well funded as MI6, however, as with all things Bond, nothing comes cheap.
Actual Props from Your Favorite Movies and TV Shows
Want the blouse that Jessica Alba wore from horror pic The Eye? What about Selene’s Beretta 9mm handgun from Underworld: Evolution? Then check out all the goodies available over at PremiereProps.com. When it comes to the actual hero props that were used on-screen, the items can get quite expensive ($799.99 and $2779.99, respectively, for the items mentioned above), though there is some cheaper fare, too (Friday Night Lights movie gear, e.g. Permian Panthers sweaters and tees).
While there is a perfectly reasonable plastic version of this gift, there is also a 24-carat gold version with marble base that weighs over 5 pounds (perfect for that douche-y, self-important, wannabe filmmaker relative in your life). You can even get it engraved, so don’t be afraid to let the “Oscer” winner know exactly what you think they deserve an award for! The regular version starts at $9.95 and the 24K gold version starts at $99.95, with both prices varying depending on the engraving options.
So hopefully, you’ll find a few ideas that’ll help you through this Christmas. Whatever gifts you do decide to give others/yourself this holiday season, remember to give thanks, count your blessings, and may spirits be high, movies be good, and hearts stay warm. Happy holidays, from all of us here at cinema, verytasty!
Tags: Holiday Gift Guide
