Click It Here For PART 2 Of The Guide, Featuring Books, Art and Music! And Click It Here For PART 3 Of The Guide, Featuring Collectibles, Video Games and Gadgets!!!
Ahoy, squirts! Quint here with the ever expanding Holiday Gift Guide or Shopping Guide. If my math is right, this is my 4th straight year doing the Holiday Shopping Guide for AICN and while it represents a Herculean effort to research, write, code and post, I find I really look forward to compiling this list each year. It's become almost a cornerstone of the Holiday season for me. I have a feeling that if I end up not writing the Shopping Guide in a future year that Holiday season will feel lacking, like I'm missing something. As in years past this list was organized with the generous help of viewers like you, as PBS would say. The reader suggestions are always inventive and always interesting. Thanks a ton for the suggestions, guys. They always broaden the scope of the list. That having been said, almost everything on this list still had to be something that holds my own personal interest. My fingerprints are all over this list. The majority of the stuff below I've played with personally, own or want real bad. The links I provide are prices I've found at the time of this compilation. You'll see a lot of Amazon links for the books, games and DVDs because of Amazon's trustworthiness, their overall low prices, ease of returns and the free shipping offer. Of course, I also make a couple of pennies if you click through and buy something. However, I always encourage shopping around. In the case of DVDs, I've had good experiences with Deep Discount DVD and if you're not lazy like I am you can generally find good prices at Wal-Mart, Target and Best Buy. If I find a better price, I'll mention it in the article. Also keep an eye out for a new section: CONTESTS. I'm giving away 2 different things this year... it'll be in one of the three parts to the Holiday Shopping Guide, but I won't say which one! We're about ready to begin! You'll find categories below (DVDs, ART, BOOKs, etc) and each of those categories are broken up into sections according to the price of the item. The pricing is like this: CHEAP - Items $24.99 and under MODERATE - Items $25.00-$70.99 EXPENSIVE - Items $71.00-$499.99 And FOR THE SUPER RICH ONLY - Items $500.00 and up Each picture is clickable. Let's get burning, shall we?
DVDS
Cheap ($24.99 and under)
What other DVD would you start with? The original slasher BLACK CHRISTMAS (also known as SILENT NIGHT, EVIL NIGHT) is an underseen gem that is being remade... and word is the remake isn't very good... but the original film is fantastic and if nothing else, it prompted a new DVD release of the original on December 5th. Bob Clark directed 2 amazing Holiday movies: A CHRISTMAS STORY and BLACK CHRISTMAS. If you like horror flicks and haven't seen this one yet, at $16.99 you need to pick this DVD up.
By far, the most interesting DVD release this Holiday Season, the long in the coming Richard Donner SUPERMAN 2 cut. Now, I have a link below for the end-all, be-all of SUPERMAN DVD sets, but if the wallet's feeling the pain a little this season and you want to cherry-pick, this DVD is only $17.49. This hits November 28th.
LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE is one of my favorite movies of the year. It was just one of those great comedies with great characters that you want to spend time with. I'm greatly looking forward to having this film in my DVD collection when it's release just before Christmas (December 19th). It's a cheap $15.98 on Amazon pre-order.
This is a beautiful release for one of cinema's best films. I can watch Bogie kicking ass and taking names in search of the Maltese Falcon a million times and this 3 disc Special Edition release is a beauty that includes the previous 2 filmed versions, a Warner Bros short reel, Bogie Trailers, documentaries and a commentary. $22.99.
Yo! Yes, it's another release of ROCKY being put out in time to take advantage of the publicity around ROCKY BALBOA. This time we get a 2 disc special edition with a 90 minute doc, Sly Stallone commentary, hi-def transfer, a half-dozen featurettes and a 24 page booklet. Not bad for $18.89. Released on December 5th.
This is one of my favorite releases of the last few months. I love THE GREEN MILE and I'm very happy to see it get a good 2-disc treatment, with an in-depth documentary (over 100 minutes), the long lost teaser trailer, deleted scenes and commentary by Frank Darabont. It's $18.87 at Amazon, but I've found it cheaper at both Best Buy and Wal-Mart (around $16.99).
One of the biggest movies of the year getting the 2-disc SE treatment. There's commentary by the writers, but sadly no Gore Verbinski or lead trio (Knightely, Bloom and Depp... that'd be the commentary I would want to hear). Tons of featurettes and a really fun movie.
The EVENING WITH KEVIN SMITH disc is one of the funniest bits of stand-up/not-stand-up released. Kevin Smith is a born talker and the man knows how to tell an hilarious story. I've watched this sequel disc a couple of times now and it's got some crazy funny gems in it. Jason Mewes' "half-half-whole" routine, night swimming, "hide behind a rock," the furthering of the Prince story from the first release... Released on November 28th. A must for any Kevin Smith fan. $19.99 or you can get both Evening 1 and 2 for $31.99.
You can't have enough Kevin Smith and it just so happens that CLERKS 2 sees release on the same day as the above, November 28th. You get 2 discs, bloopers, commentaries, docs, tons of goodies. $19.87.
I'm a big fan of Broken Lizard and really dug BEERFEST. All I know about this DVD release is it's the unrated version and from speaking with the troupe about what they shot, means more boobies and probably tons more filth. I'm good with that! $19.87 and a December 5th release!
This is one of a few older releases I'm including just because the movies are so damn good. V FOR VENDETTA is outstanding. The extra features aren't all that impressive, but you can't avoid having a movie as good as this in your collection. $22.99.
BRICK is one of the most inventive, original and plain old fun movies to pop up in the last year or two. It's not only a great movie, an off-kilter cool movie, but after having read director Rian Johnson's follow-up script, THE BROTHERS BLOOM, I'm convinced it's the birth of one of tomorrow's brightest filmmakers. $19.76
Here's a great Criterion release of Richard Linklater's DAZED AND CONFUSED, which is my personal favorite film Linklater has made. No matter what mood I'm in, what my day was like, I can watch this film and feel good. Criterion did a bang-up job making this the only release of the film worth owning. Commentaries, docs with everybody, a great looking package... Criterion quality all the way. $23.57.
Moderate ($25.00-$70.99)
Here's the super deluxe KING KONG: EE Gift set, complete with Weta mini-statue of the big monkey climbing the Empire State Building. We've talked a lot about the EE in the last week or so, so you don't need a wrap-up of the release. The Deluxe Gift Set is $55.75. If you can go without the cool Weta piece, it's $24.99
This is one release that I'm including because of the suggestions from the readers. I'm not the world's biggest fan of the NARNIA movie, but I know it has its fans out there and if you were going to give a gift to a Narnia fan out there, this is the big one. A super deluxe edition of the four disc EE. This DVD set is modeled after the LOTR releases and comes packed, as you can see in the pic above. $54.87 for the big sucker above and $29.87 for the regular 4-disc edition, sans sculptures. Released December 12th.
This is just plain ol' cool. A great sci-fi movie all spruced up special edition style, with a new cleaned up transfer, tons of special features including documentaries, another feature starring Robbie The Robot and the THIN MAN episode featuring the bot... So, all that and with the above special deluxe edition, you get a sweet-ass Robbie the Robot toy! $39.87 for the super duper Robbie the Robot toy edition and $18.87 for the regular SE DVD.
This is one of the most suggested items of all the times on this list. I haven't picked up this release yet, but it's high on my Christmas list. One, SEVEN SAMURAI is essential viewing for anyone who considers themselves a film lover and this 3 disc Special Edition from Criterion is undoubtedly the best release this title will see on the DVD format. $42.99.
For the vast majority out there who weren't able to pick up that amazing Korean release, this is a great looking package of a great movie. This thing just looks badass and if you have not seen this, or know someone who has not seen this, the OLDBOY DVD should be high on your list. $26.13.
I finally got caught up on 24 this year, starting with the Season 1 Box Set and moving all the way up through Season 4. And I see why people are drawn into this series. And from what I hear, Season 5 is spectacular. It'll be a weird experience being all caught up for Season 6. $36.97. Or you can buy all 5 Seasons bundled together at $34.99 each, totaling $174.95. Season 5 released December 5th.
Finally they've bled the one-disc releases dry and are finally releasing complete seasons of Saturday Night Live. I'm really looking forward to picking up every season... at least up until the late '80s. I love that we're going to be seeing every single sketch from the early years. Saturday Night Live Season 1 is $45.49 and is released December 5th.
There have been a few seasons of South Park that have been released since the last Guide, but Season 8 is one of the strongest seasons, featuring episodes about Cartman sneaking into the special olympics (and Jimmy hooked on steroids), "Fun With Weapons," which is genius, the well-publicized Passion of the Jew and "Awesom-O." Great season for $34.63.
Ah, the wonderful world of Bruce Campbell. I have very fond memories of this series, but the DVD set was way too expensive when it was released. Granted, it's the complete series, but it retailed at $100... However, I just noticed that Amazon has it 50% off right now at $49.99 which all of a sudden makes this set affordable! Can't wait to dive back into the world of Brisco County Jr.!
This is the single best DVD set for the money on this list. Sure, buying this set means you have to own SUPERMAN 4, but look at this. 14 discs. 4 discs of SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE, 2 discs of SUPERMAN 2: THE RICHARD DONNER CUT, 2 discs of SUPERMAN 2 SE, "deluxe edition" of SUPERMAN 3 (which is bizarre and kind of crappy, but it has that great Dark Superman thread), SUPERMAN 4, 2 disc SE of SUPERMAN RETURNS and 2 feature length documentaries, YOU WILL BELIEVE: THE CINEMATIC SAGA OF SUPERMAN and LOOK UP IN THE SKY!: THE AMAZING STORY OF SUPERMAN. And it's all in a great package... best looking DVD series release since the ALIEN Quadrilogy. Total price is $69.88.
For The Super Rich Only ($500 and up)
After Seven Samurai, this was the most requested DVD set. This is total geek stuff, the Janus Film collection. Check out these titles:
Alexander Nevsky (1938) Directed by Sergei Eisenstein Ashes and Diamonds (1958) Directed by Andrzej Wajda L'Avventura (1960) Directed by Michelangelo Antonioni Ballad of a Soldier (1959) Directed by Grigori Chukhrai Beauty and the Beast (1946) Directed by Jean Cocteau Black Orpheus (1959) Directed by Marcel Camus Brief Encounter (1946) Directed by David Lean The Fallen Idol (1948) Directed by Carol Reed Fires on the Plain (1959) Directed by Kon Ichikawa Fists in the Pocket (1965) Directed by Marco Bellocchio Floating Weeds (1959) Directed by Yasujiro Ozu Forbidden Games (1952) Directed by René Clement The Four Hundred Blows (1959) Directed by François Truffaut Grand Illusion (1937) Directed by Jean Renoir Häxan: Witchcraft Through the Ages (1922) Directed by Benjamin Christensen Ikiru (1952) Directed by Akira Kurosawa The Importance of Being Earnest (1952) Directed by Anthony Asquith Ivan the Terrible, Part II (1958) Directed by Sergei Eisenstein Le jour se lève (1939) Directed by Marcel Carné Jules and Jim (1962) Directed by François Truffaut Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949) Directed by Robert Hamer Knife in the Water (1962) Directed by Roman Polanski The Lady Vanishes (1938) Directed by Alfred Hitchcock The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943) Directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger Loves of a Blonde (1965) Directed by Milos Forman M (1931) Directed by Fritz Lang M. Hulot's Holiday (1953) Directed by Jacques Tati Miss Julie (1951) Directed by Alf Sjöberg Pandora's Box (1929) Directed by G.W. Pabst Pépé le Moko (1937) Directed by Jean Duvivier Il Posto (1961) Directed by Ermanno Olmi Pygmalion (1938) Directed by Anthony Asquith Rashomon (1951) Directed by Akira Kurosawa Richard III (1955) Directed by Laurence Olivier The Rules of the Game (1939) Directed by Jean Renoir Seven Samurai (1954) Directed by Akira Kurosawa The Seventh Seal (1957) Directed by Ingmar Bergman The Spirit of the Beehive (1973) Directed by Victor Erice La Strada (1954) Directed by Federico Fellini Summertime (1955) Directed by David Lean The Third Man (1949) Directed by Carol Reed The Thirty-Nine Steps (1935) Directed by Alfred Hitchcock Turell Documentaries x3: The Great Chase (1962), The Love Goddesses (1965), and Paul Robeson: Tribute to an Artist (1979) Directed by Saul Turell Ugetsu Monogatari (1953) Directed by Kenji Mizoguchi Umberto D (1952) Directed by Vittorio De Sica The Virgin Spring (1960) Directed by Ingmar Bergman Viridiana (1961) Directed by Luis Buñuel The Wages of Fear (1953) Directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot The White Sheik (1952) Directed by Federico Fellini Wild Strawberries (1957) Directed by Ingmar Bergman
All titles are Anamorphic when widescreen and from the reviews, the transfers on each title is significantly better than any previous releases, even by Criterion. That's a film education right there. It's $639.95 at Amazon, but a bit cheaper at DeepDiscountDVD - $594.89
TOYS
Cheap ($24.99 and under)
Who doesn't want Shaun? There's a 12" figure on the way, but you can find this 8" version still in stores and online. There are a few for $16.99 and more for $24.99 on Amazon. But at YouBuyNow it's $12.99. That's your best buy.
McFarlane's LOST line was unveiled at Comic-Con and they look great, especially the Locke above. They're supposed to come out sometime this month, but I can only find 2 of the 7 figures online that's not a pre-order. Amazon has Jack and Hurley for $19.99 each. Probably a mark-up from a secondary seller, but according to McFarlane's website you should be able to find Locke, Shannon, Jack, Hurley, Kate, Charlie and the Hatch Box Set (Amazon has the Hatch as well, priced at $39.99)at Barnes & Nobles, Hastings, Kay-Bee Toys, Spencer's, Virgin Megastores and Toys R Us'.
I love Neca. At first they picked up the ball McFarlane dropped when they stopped doing the Movie Maniacs line, but now they've completely dominated the movie toy market. Their V looks incredible. I'm sure it retails between $13 and $15, but I found it on preorder at AlterEgoComics for $12.74. It was supposed to come out in October, so I don't know what the deal is, but most seem confident it'll be in stores this Holiday season.
A month ago I was walking through Toys R Us and saw this... The actual Dice game from DEAD MAN'S CHEST. I think that's really cool, actually. To invent a game like this as a throwaway bit in a movie and have them fully realize it for home use. About the coolest movie tie in board game ever. And cheap at $19.55.
This is by far the best sculpt of Bruce Campbell as Ash, with a second "Stretchy" head and the coolest base ever... with skeletal hands reaching up at our one-handed hero. You can find this one in stores under $15, but online I'm seeing it at $17.95.
The first of two John Carpenter's THE THING items on this list. This box set from Sota has been in the works for a long time, but it's finally shipping November 30th. Retails for about $30, but I found it at Monsters In Motion on pre-order for $24.99.
Moderate ($25.00-$70.99)
Gentle Giant put out a trinity of CLASH OF THE TITANS toys last month. As you can see above, they have Medusa, but they also have Calibos and, of course, the mighty Kraken. Each figure stands 9" tall. I have all 3. $29.99 each.
I guess this list has two main themes... zombies and Nintendo. Maybe it's just the 80s upbringing, but I totally geeked out when I saw this existed. In my mind, this is the coolest "themed" Monopoly board. $28.75.
Too cool! 18" John Lennon figure... that talks! Made from Neca and looks great... from the '70s New York Lennon-era. $39.99.
Expensive ($71.00-$499.99)
Wow, what a great looking figure. Giant Pumpkinhead and at $74.99 it's amazingly affordable compared to the Sideshow Maquette that was nearly $1,000. And the level of detail is nearly as good.
If you want to get jazzed up for Michael "Damn You" Bay's TRANSFORMERS or if you want to hold on to your last pure memories before that film hits in July... whichever viewpoint, you have this 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime figure. He stands 12" tall, fully transforms (sans flames) and speaks lines from TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE. $69.99 at Amazon... retails over $80.
