Movie Holiday Shopping Guide Part 1

November 26, 4:38 PMSeattle Movie ExaminerBrian Zitzelman

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Part 1 of this holiday film shopping guide focuses on products that are already available, for those looking to get their shopping done early. Part 2 will deal with items being released in the next few weeks. 

Books

1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die : 5th Anniversary Edition : The latest edition of this expansive film guide is a must own, particularly for those who have not bought previous versions. What makes 1001 so superior to other movie rundowns is first and foremost its stellar writing. Each piece is researched and discussed with a passion so often ignored in these collections. This revised edition runs through 2007 and is perfect for people who want to learn about classic American cinema, gems from overseas or forgotten favorites. 

Pictures at a Revolution by Mark Harris : Entertainment Weekly writer Mark Harris crafted this marvelous book which breaks down the five Best Picture nominees from the 1968 Oscars and how each defined America during that hard time. The creation of each picture is meticulously detailed and learning how both Bonnie and Clyde and Doctor Dolittle could be competitors is fascinating. 

I’m a Lebowski, You’re a Lebowski : Life, The Big Lebowski, and What Have You : Written by a trio of die hard Lebowski fanatics aka Achievers, this is necessary to anyone who has fallen for The Dude and friends. Packed with interviews, down to even Jesus’ bowling partner Liam, essays and discussion about how the Coen brothers 1998 comedy become a quintessential cult film for a generation. 

Seagalogy : A Study of the Ass-Kicking Films of Steven Seagal by Vern : No action star of the past 25 years is as much of a punchline as Steven Seagal. The limp ponytail and chubby frame could kill anyone in nanoseconds but he would still be a joke. Here, film critic Vern explores Seagal’s entire oeuvre, from Under Siege 2 : Dark Territory to his Mountain Dew commercials. A film book like no other. 

Roger Ebert’s Four-Star Reviews : Roger Ebert is both one America’s most praised and reviled critics. Yet, even his detractors know the man is one hell of a writer. Included in this tome is a bevy of inspired, smart criticism that you may not always agree with but will respect at the end of the day. 

Movies

Wall-E : Pixar director Andrew Stanton, he of Finding Nemo acclaim, molded possibly the studio’s most daring achievement with Wall-E. An elegantly told movie about the last robot on the planet still cleaning up the joint, who meets the girl of his mechanical dreams. Told with sparse dialogue in its first hour, the movie enchanted audiences young and old. The recently released DVD is filled to the brim with extras, including an engaging commentary by Stanton and the feature length documentary ThePixar Story about the studio’s founding. 

In Bruges : One of the year’s best movie’s has gone unseen but it does not have to stay thay way. Director/screenwriter Martin McDonagh’s spectacular debut feature film is about two gangsters who are ordered to lay low, well, in Bruges. Ken (Brendan Gleeson) wants to see the sights while Ray (Colin Farrell) just longs for sex, beer or both. Both actors are in top form and McDonagh mixes humor, action and drama exquisitely in a movie everyone seems to enjoy, if they just give it a chance. 

12 Angry Men : Sidney Lumet’s 1957 treasure finally received the proper DVD tribute this year and fans and newcomers should all pick it up. Adapted from Reginald Rose’s play, 12 Angry Men is one of American cinema’s brightest but low key achievements. Filmed almost entirely in one room, it is the tale of 12 jurors determining whether or not a young man murdered his father. It is a gripping picture, led by majestic screen presence Henry Fond.The new DVD comes with a pair of featurettes discussing the story’s history and interesting acting anecdotes from those involved, rounded out with a commentary by noted film historian Drew Casper.

Mystery Science Theater 3000 : 20th Anniversary Edition/ The Movie : One of geekdom’s favorite programs saw two glorious releases in 2008. The first, a 20th anniversary set, containing four episodes, four lobby cards and a figurine of none other than Crow T. Robot. The second release was 1996’s MST3K film, never previously available on DVD in which the boys hilariously eviscerate This Island Earth. 

Lots of Hitchcock! : What a year for Hitchcock aficionados. The director’s films have received steady DVD treatment over the years but 2008 saw improved, extras packed editions of Vertigo, Rear Window and Psycho. Fans are also being treated to the Alfred Hitchcock Premiere Collection, containing eight of the master’s pictures, such as Notorious and Rebecca. A spectacular way to catch up with the director’s works or introduce newcomers to what makes the legend so special.