Harry here... with Butt-Numb-A-Thon, My Birthday and the other Holidays approaching, QUINT felt that it was absolutely important to give all you good people his holiday shopping guide for me.... Ok, he doesn't specifically say that (DAMN HIS SOUL!) but it's subtext... Read on and get out your credit card or... hurry up and pull that bank job... as Alan Rickman once said... "It's a Time for Miracles..."
Ahoy, squirts! Quint here and hoo-daddy... Do I have a bunch of stuff for you folks to look at. This list is by no means all inclusive. Matter of fact, it is very much tailored around my own tastes. Some of these below DVDs, Model Kits, Toys, Video Games and so on have been viewed/played by me and have my Seaman Stamp of Approval (TM). Some have not and just look cool. I will make sure to let you know what is what.
I have broken down these many links and suggestions into categories and subcategories. The main categories will be Toys, Model Kits, etc and the subcategories will be price range. The main categories will be red, like:
DVDs
And the subcategories will be blue, like:
CHEAP
The monetary categories will be as follows: CHEAP (under $20), MODERATE (between $20 and $50), A BIT PRICEY (between $50 and $150) and FOR THE SUPER RICH ONLY ($150 and up).
Let's get this sucker underway!
DVDs
CHEAP
It's only fitting that this list starts off with a DVD that is important, nay ESSENTIAL, to be put into the hands of every man, woman and child of the world. I am, of course, talking about TENACIOUS D: THE COMPLETE MASTERWORKS.
It's only $13.99 over at Amazon and it packs a punch. Two discs featuring all their music videos, a complete concert performed by the greatest band in the world, all the HBO Shorts, behind the scenes documentaries and the featurettes that played during their concerts. It has the Seaman Stamp of Approval (TM).
This upcoming Tuesday, December 2nd, you also have the super fun PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN for $17.99 over at Amazon right now... I'd actually advise heading down to the nearest Wal-Mart on Tuesday because I'm sure they'll have that price matched or beaten. But if you're lazy like me, you can just click on the title above and pre-order it from Amazon. This disc looks to be jammed packed with extras. Commentaries with Gore Verbinski and Johnny Depp, Gag Reel, what looks to be hundreds of documentaries... I haven't seen it yet, but I'm willing to bet it's what they call the AWESOME.
Let's also not underestimate the awesome X2. The mutant in your family will go into a berserker rage for this 2-disc set. I got my copy for under $15 at Wal-Mart.
MODERATE
You'll notice that all of the links so far have been taking you to Amazon.com. For DVDs they have the best deals on free shipping and some of the best discounted prices around. They have LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS EXTENDED EDITION listed at $25.99with free shipping and I can give my personal stamp of approval on these discs. You get your money's worth. Or get the big super deluxe one with Gollum statue & extra Gollum dvd, which just kicks ass! TWO TOWERS Extended with Gollum Statue and Extra DVD: $55!
I have to put a plug in for my favorite DVD that has been released this year. It's a bit pricey at $35.99, but it's well worth it. CRITERION'S FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS 2-Disc set was released at the very beginning of this year and has yet to be topped for me... The commentaries alone... (You haven't lived until you've heard Hunter S. Thompson's commentary track)... The only commentary track to rival FEAR AND LOATHING this year for me has been Carrot Top's fall down funny commentary on Roger Avary's THE RULES OF ATTRACTION.
The INDIANA JONES BOX SET is available at $45.49 with free shipping from Amazon. INDIANA JONES BOX SET is an essential addition to any self respecting movie geek's DVD shelf. Four discs, all three films and one specials disc. Most geeks already have this one, so check before you buy.
A BIT PRICEY
Far and away, the most desired pricey movie geek box set coming out is ALIEN QUADRILOGY which is released next Tuesday, December 2nd. Right now it's on pre-order at Amazon for $69.99, a full $30 cheaper than suggested retail price. This set looks amazing. It's 9 discs and all four ALIEN films. The original ALIEN has two discs devoted to it and includes the original theatrical film and the recent Director's Cut as well as commentary by Ridley Scott and bunches and bunches of supplemental material.
ALIENS also has 2 discs devoted to it and includes an awesome looking commentary track: Michael Biehn, Jenette Goldstein, Carrie Henn, Terry Henn, Lance Henriksen, Gale Anne Hurd, Pat McClung, Bill Paxton, Dennis Skotak, Robert Skotak and Stan Winston... This is commentary that I can not wait to listen to.
The bastard children of the series are also given a face lift. I am dying to see the work print version of ALIEN 3... There's 41 minutes of new footage. Let's see if it makes for a better movie. ALIEN: RESURRECTION comes with bunches of extra features (including a 10 minute longer cut of the film) and a commentary track by Junet and crew. On top of all that, there's a bonus 9th disc filled with any and everything you could ever possibly want from the ALIEN series.
And to cap off the DVD suggestions for this year let me suggest some of the best animated satire ever released. FAMILY GUY in all 3 seasons are out on DVD. Much like THE SIMPSONS series 1 and SOUTH PARK, FAMILY GUY has proven itself to be clever and funny. So much so that they're starting up the series again, making it the first cancelled series in history to be brought back due to high DVD sales. Over at Amazon they have a deal that gets you both box sets (Volumes 1 and 2) for $64.98. Individually they are $34.99 a piece. Buy 'em both together and save.
VIDEO GAMES
CHEAP
MIDWAY ARCADE MADNESS retails for $19.99 and has 20 classic old school Arcade games. This is available through X-Box and has some of the coolest of the cool '80s arcade games on it, from RAMPAGE to SPY HUNTER to MARBLE MADNESS to JOUST. And, unlike the below-mentioned Atari/Namco bundle you can have more than one player. Click here to go to Gamestop.
MODERATE
The coolest of the cool for my money is this bundle sale of Atari and Namco through Gamestop for $39.98.
As you can see, these nifty items are those great, nostalgic joystick you remember from childhood. They plug directly into your TV and you can play 10 classic Atari Games (Asteroids, Adventure, Missile Command, Centipede, Gravitar, Yar's Revenge, Breakout, Pong, Circus Atari and Real Sports Volleyball) and 5 Classic Namco games including Pac Man, Bosconian, Rally-X, Digdug (yay!) and Galaxian. Totally Rad!
How about some titles for the littler geeks? There are a few games out right now perfect for the young and young at heart. One, is HARRY POTTER QUIDDITCH WORLD CUP from EA. I actually had a lot of fun playing this game and think the little Harry Potter maniacs will eat this one up. $39.99
Also of note for the kids is LOONEY TUNES: BACK IN ACTION for GameCube. It's a rare instance of a game being far superior to the movie it is based on. This game actually feels like you're in the Looney Tunes world. $39.99
Last, but certainly not least for the kiddies is MARIO KART: DOUBLE DASH... Damn is this a fun game. I grew up on Mario Kart and have been having a blast playing this one. I can't recommend it highly enough for the family or just for you. $49.99
Do I even need to recommend the RETURN OF THE KING game? EA once again pulls ahead of the pack with this awesome film adaptation. Play as Gandalf. He's my favorite and after you see what he can do in the film, you'll never play anyone else. $49.99
Lastly, you can never go wrong pre-ordering HALO 2. If the world ended right now, I'd regret two things. Not seeing RETURN OF THE KING and not playing HALO 2. The game comes out in early 2004, but a little pre-order receipt would make a nice stocking stuffer! $49.99
BOOKS
CHEAP
You can't go wrong in getting a picture filled MAKING OF book, especially when it's the Making Of RETURN OF THE KING. For under $12, this book looks like the perfect gift for those that love to know the process and having seen this particular process with my own eyes, I can tell you it's something special. The book itself I have not seen. I don't know how full of info and pics it is, but going by the last two LOTR releases, I'd put my money on it being jammed packed.
MODERATE
Where to begin? There are so many great geek books out right now... To keep the LORD OF THE RINGS theme going, how about the ART OF LORD OF THE RINGS. Over at Amazon, this nifty looking book is priced at $24.50 looks well worth it. It's just under 200 pages and includes over 500 sketches, paintings, sculptures and digital artworks as well as the expert commentaries of the actual artists throughout.
Who doesn't love Drew Struzan? I myself have many of his one-sheets (including a couple of his awesome INDIANA JONES posters). There's a big book out right now called DREW STRUZAN: OEUVRE and it's at $41.97. The book will undoubtedly be filled with his gorgeous poster art and commentary from his friends in the business.
How about some super-heroes? Alex Ross' book MYTHOLOGY is out over at Amazon for $24.50. It's nice piece of work from the premiere illustrator working today. I saw a copy of this book that Harry and Father Geek brought to a screening and it was overflowing with some of the most beautiful interpretations of these classic super heroes I have ever seen. A must have.
To finish off, here's a book that's not available in the US until April, but you can order it from the UK right now. RAY HARRYHAUSEN: AN ANIMATED LIFE follows the life and adventures of one of the coolest people living on planet Earth right now. It is 24.50 Pounds (roughly $41.87 in US Dollars) and can be ordered HERE: through Amazon.co.uk. The US Edition will be out in April for $35, but for a measly $6 more plus shipping you can give it to the Harryhausen nut in your household this Christmas.
A BIT PRICEY
This is the highlight of the BOOKS section for me. THE COMPLETE FAR SIDE is out at Amazon for $94.50 (a full $40 below retail) and comes in an absolutely beautiful slipcase. Whether you can afford it or not, I'm sure most of you are desiring this book. Anyone who has spent any time reading FAR SIDE will scream with delight to find this under their Christmas tree.
TOYS
CHEAP
So, will it cause a riot that I put STAR WARS, LORD OF THE RINGS and THE MATRIX toys in the same category? Well, despite the different feelings one may have for each franchise, all three have very high quality toys out on the market this Christmas season.
STAR WARS UNLEASHED are the coolest figures. I have Christopher Lee and DARTH VADER currently sitting atop my entertainment center being the badasses they are. The DARTH SIDIOUS figure is cool as hell, too. Go to HASBRO to take a look at what they have available. The toys start off at $16.99 and worth every cent.
LORD OF THE RINGS has lots of cool looking figures out right now, but none cooler than the DELUXE TALKING GOLLUM for $19.99.
This little bugger stands Eleven Inches and has interchangeable Gollum/Smeagol heads... and it talks. You want Smeagol, you get Smeagol. You want Gollum, you get Gollum. What more can you ask for?
McFarlane has put out a few insanely terrific looking MATRIX toys. The Morpheus above is just perfect. The Real World Neo is also perfect. It's the most realistic looking sculpt I've ever seen. Go to SPAWN.COM to check out McFarlane's MATRIX series. Or get Morpheus now for $10.99
MODERATE
Here's something special. You've seen those Xtra Salty Gunny R. Lee Ermey figures, right? Well, if you're going to give one as a gift, why not get one signed by The Gunny himself? For $40 you can order it directly from R. Lee Ermey's website and he'll give it a little signature for you.
SUPER RICH ONLY
This is the coolest thing by far in this whole article. How would you like your own action figure? Gentle Giant Studios, the guys that did the 3-D scanning for the McFarlane MATRIX and TERMINATOR 3 toy lines can make you into an action figure. For a measly $5,000 they will scan you, create a miniature model from the 3-D scan and then hand sculpt your own figure. You end up with a personalized figure of yourself mint in personalized Blister Pack and one figure loose for you to play with. You can get any accessories your heart desires.
How cool is that? That's $5,000 not including getting yourself to the Gentle Giant Studios in Burbank, CA. If you're interested, contact Karl Meyer at (818) 504-3555.
LIFE-SIZED FIGURES
FOR THE SUPER
RICH ONLY
The only price category for this one is SUPER RICH ONLY. Here we have a few SHARPER IMAGE life sized creations. The first is Spider-Man.
At $1,995 it's pretty pricey, but hey... it's your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man and he's worth every penny.
Yoda, Yoda, Yoda... This wrinkled midget is cheaper at $599.95. Who doesn't want an old, celibate Jedi Master in their house? Well, maybe his parents...
And if you want something super-limited and really worth the money you'd put into it, head over to this EBAY link and bid on the four or five LIFE-SIZED GOLLUM statues. A very, very limited number if these beauties were released and none are for sale to the general public... so, of course, they're on EBAY, each currently under $350-ish.
GAMES
MODERATE
There are a bunch of MOVIE TRIVIA games out there. I haven't played them all, but the one I can personally vouch for is AMC'S REEL CLUES. The questions are very diverse, going from modern day film to the silent era and the play shifts often to many different challenges. I've been playing this one with friends for the better part of a year and it still hasn't gotten old. $24.99 at most stores.
For more rounded trivia, try TRIVIAL PURSUIT POP CULTURE DVD GAME. This new edition of Trivial Pursuit shakes things up with an interactive DVD thrown into the mix. Whenever you you play for a pie piece, you have to go to the DVD challenge. This one retails for $29.99.
TRIVIAL PURSUIT too manic for you? Need your trivia games more focused? I got the game for you... LORD OF THE RINGS TRIVIAL PURSUIT will not be for everyone since it is, apparently, almost solely based on the movie trilogy with little book trivia. I can't wait to get my hands on it and devastate all my supposed superior LOTR loving friends! It retails for $34.99
FOR THE SUPER RICH ONLY
Alright, I had to include this one. I saw this with my own eyes at Comic Con and boy did my mouth start watering...
That picture doesn't do it justice. It is one of the most beautifully designed chess sets I've ever seen and how perfect that it's based around the LORD OF THE RINGS movies since the films are essentially a giant chess game played between Gandalf and Sauron. This sucker is a whopping $494.95 here. Shop around, though. You may find it a bit cheaper.
MODEL KITS AND BUSTS
MODERATE
Over at Gentle Giant, the same people who can sculpt you your own action figure, they have created busts in relation to STAR WARS, TERMINATOR 3 and THE MATRIX films. Most of their busts run for under $50 and are very detailed. This'll be the only series of busts that are in the MODERATE level. Head on over to Gentle Giant and check them out.
A BIT PRICEY and FOR THE SUPER RICH ONLY
I'd like to point over to SIDESHOW/WETA... This is an obvious choice, but they continue to put out the best damn statuettes on the market. Their LOTR stuff is incredible. And check out this HELLBOY figure!!! I don't think it comes out until after Christmas, but what a late Christmas present this would be... check him out:
How about some models? The only place to go for models is MONSTERS IN MOTION.
They also have badass masks, like this BASTARD here.
Their prices tend to be in the $100-$300 range, but damn do they have some cool stuff. Click here for B-Movie Monsters and Here for Classic Horror and Here for Contemporary Horror!
HOME DEFENSE
FOR THE SUPER RICH ONLY
As an American, I take home defense very seriously. Whether it be defending your home from robber, rapist, terrorist, Mormons (Dum-Dum-Dum) or Martians... There really is only one choice for home protection.
That's right. A Death Ray... This comes from BROTRON.COM and it is so expensive they won't even tell you how much these beauties cost, you have to contact the maker directly. If you consider yourself any kind of sci-fi geek, then you will have to check out the TEST FOOTAGE.
OTHER
Here's where we get to have us some fun. EVERYTHING here is for THE SUPER RICH ONLY, but for all the rest of us... let's window shop a bit, shall we?
I would be more than honored to have any piece of artwork created by Alex Ross on my wall and I'm sure you can tell why from looking at the above picture. That piece is for sale over at ALEX ROSS' webpage, along with many other pieces. The above beauty carries a $7,500 price tag. There are others, from his Earth X series to his Kingdom Come art. There are sketches, inks and fully finished paintings on sale ranging from around $300 to upwards of $25,000.
Wanna drop a few grand on a retro looking TV? Jump over to this site and check these beauties out.
Now for the cream of the crop, the tip of the top... The most expensive item I'm linking to in this whole whopping article. At $39,995 and worth every geek-ridden cent, I give you...
A desk? That's right... Space Ghost's desk. Why is it worth almost 40 grand? Well, along with being meticulously fashioned after the cartoon version, it also comes with a built in mini-fridge and a flat panel TV screen that pops out of the desk surface.
Check out this website for full details.
It's about time to go... but something's missing... That desk just looks wrong... What is it? It has that cool TV screen... I... I don't know... but... but... for just $28.99... but... well... I won't set the building on fire...
Well, that's it, squirts. Lots and lots of suggestions up above. And by all means, this list is only the beginning. I didn't touch on any of the tech-geek stuff. No computer equipment... No Soundtracks are mentioned (My personal faves are KILL BILL and RETURN OF THE KING). This is the starting point, meant only to offer up a few mere suggestions to those in the dark about what to get their geek friends and family. You talkbackers... it's your job to add anything I may have left out.
Thanks to all the people who emailed me and sent me links. I couldn't have done this without you. Have a happy Turkey Day, my American friends and happy Thursday for all the rest of you guys out in the world! This is Quint bidding you all a fond farewell and adieu.
-Quint
