Do you think they saw everything? Holiday gift ideas for movie fans who want more
It’s been a great year at the movies for cinephiles, but what do you get for movie fans who’ve already seen it all?
The holidays always bring anniversary releases of tried-and-true classics, like the 4K Ultra HD 25th Anniversary Titanic re-release, as well as trick-or-treat 4K compilations of the year’s biggest hits, like “Barbie,” of course. But there are plenty of unique options, at all price points, from a high-end ticket to the Sundance Film Festival in January to a Criterion Channel subscription and more.
Book by Sofia Coppola
Sofia Coppola excavated her personal photographs from 25 years of filmmaking for her first book, “The Sofia Coppola Archive 1999-2023.” In the 479-page book, Coppola takes you on a visual journey from The Virgin Suicides to Priscilla, including intimate behind-the-scenes photos with all the famous faces she’s worked with, from Kirsten Dunst to Bill Murray. There are inspiration boards, text pages with handwritten annotations, correspondence with collaborators, as well as personal introductions to each film.
Polish movie posters
Whether you’re trying to upgrade your loved one’s movie poster collection from whatever was in their college dorm room or just trying to find something a little unusual, this cheerful collection of Polish movie posters is a great place to start. There is a long and rich history of these artistic interpretations of marketing materials in Hollywood. Some are surreal, some are abstract, and all reflect the individual artist. Prices are all over the place depending on whether you opt for the vintage or a reprint: an original “Godfather” poster designed by Tomasz Ruminski will set you back around $912, but the haunting “Eyes Wide Shut” design by Leszek Żebrowski is only $40 and Andrzej costs a piece Krajewski’s pop-inspired “Pulp Fiction” $43.
Subscribe to the Criterion channel
Streaming options can be a tough place to be for fans of classic and independent films, but fortunately, the Criterion Channel is still going strong with carefully curated selections each month. The format is easy to use, and highlights new movies that will expire at the end of the month. They also have a section where you can choose movies based on their running time: Do you only have 90 minutes or less? There is a section for that. Their December lineup includes a spotlight on Parker Posey; retrospective exhibitions dedicated to Yasujiro Ozu and Ousmane Sembène; And some Holiday noir, MGM musicals, and “Hitchcock for the Holidays.”
Oppenheimer 4K
Can you hear the music? Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer will finally be available to watch in your living room during the holidays (after November 21). The 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD release will include more than three hours of special features, including a 70-plus minute documentary, with new interviews with Nolan and the cast and crew. Another special featurette looks at the development of the 65mm black and white film stock they pioneered in the film. You can also watch a panel discussion held earlier this summer between Nolan, author Kay Baird, and physicists like Kip Thorne.
Sundance Film Festival Ticket
This is more expensive, but it is possible to get to the 40th Sundance Film Festival in January with an in-person or virtual ticket. For $850 (not including travel and lodging in Park City, Utah), you can be among the first to see the next “CODA,” “Beasts of the Southern Wild,” or “Past Lives.” Or for $225, you can get virtual access to the award winners, and let the judges sift through the gems and duds on your behalf.
A book about Siskel and Ebert
Film critic and editor Matt Singer takes a look at the importance and influence of Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel in Opposable Thumbs: How Siskel and Ebert Changed Movies Forever. It’s full of tales of their infamous and always watchable sparring, and the ways in which they’ve managed to support small films like “Hoop Dreams” to a large audience. Singer writes that two Chicago critics “democratized criticism” and “turned it into mass entertainment.”
Cinematic game
This collection is described as “the ultimate game for movie geeks, film nerds, and cinephiles” and includes five levels of varying difficulties. For example, the Motion Pictures level asks players to name more movies than their rivals for any name that appears on the card (like, say, Samuel L. Jackson, which might keep things going for a while). If you need a little more of a challenge, the Expert level tests your ability to match up with actors in less than six degrees (like Cillian Murphy and Jason Momoa… go!). You can play many of these games alone or with a crowd.
Deep cut T-shirt from Steven Soderbergh’s storefront
Did you know that Steven Soderbergh has an online marketplace featuring artwork, clothing, and swag? Or, sorry, it’s “the artist formerly known as Steven Soderbergh,” according to the site. This is a delightfully deep cut, but the best-seller on Extension765.com is a vintage-inspired black soft cotton tee designed by Joanna Bush with an 18 LU 13 print in bold white lettering. “Our best seller,” Soderbergh comments. “Why? I have no idea. But I do know this: If you work on the set of a movie or series or anything to do with truckers and you wear this hat/shirt/backpack, at some point, someone is going to come driving a truck.” “And say ‘NICE HAT’ or ‘NICE T-SHIRT. ‘Cause that license plate has serious cinematic credibility.'” It’s easily Googleable, but we won’t spoil it here.
Cookbook at home alone
You don’t need to hide your family or defend your home from gold-toothed bandits to enjoy the silliness of “The Unofficial Home Cookbook.” Recipes – there are 75 – include ‘Great Cheese Pizza’ and ‘Junk and Garbage Ice Cream’. It may not be just for foodies.
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(Tags for translation) Parker Posey