Welcome to our annual Holiday Gift Guide!
This time we’re changing the formatting a little, but as always hope that you enjoy our selections/recommendations!
Enjoy our picks and wishing you and yours a happy and healthy holiday season and 2017!
Here are our Top 10 Must Have Items (and if you don’t like any of them, then we clearly have very different taste!
And so in no particular order…
1. Star Wars Art: Ralph McQuarrie
Written by Brandon Alinger, Wade Lageose, David Mandel
Foreword by George Lucas Published by Abrams Books
Official copy: Ralph McQuarrie is the most iconic artist in the history of Star Wars. He worked hand-in-hand with George Lucas to help establish the saga’s visual aesthetic, its inimitable look and feel. Beyond designing Darth Vader, C-3PO, and R2-D2, McQuarrie produced hundreds of pieces of Star Wars artwork, including conceptual paintings, costume designs, storyboards, and matte paintings, as well as posters, book covers, and album covers—even Lucasfilm’s annual holiday cards—all rescanned and rephotographed for this book. In Star Wars Art: Ralph McQuarrie, readers will find the most definitive collection of the artist’s Star Wars work ever assembled, including hundreds of never-before-seen illustrations. Rare unpublished interviews, as well as recollections from McQuarrie’s colleagues and friends, complement and contextualize the art. Star Wars Art: Ralph McQuarrie is a comprehensive tribute to cinema’s most beloved and influential concept artist.
Why we love it: I was six years old when Star Wars came out and for children of my generation, it, like the Force, “surrounded us and penetrated us; and bound our galaxy together.” And the most important name in Star Wars history after George Lucas, was Ralph McQuarrie.
As the man who visualized Lucas’ imagination, McQuarrie defined many of the concepts, characters and worlds that have become part of the pop culture vernacular. With the sequels, animated series and standalone films likely being produced for decades to come, it’s enlightening to see so many previously non-utilized concepts being brought to life, as if the late McQuarrie’s touch is still ever present. With over 2,000 pieces of art, this belongs on the shelf of anyone who has ever loved the original trilogy.
2. VIZIO M50-D1 SmartCast Display
Official copy: Introducing the all-new VIZIO D-series Ultra HD Full-Array LED Smart TV. With over 8.3 million pixels in every image, four times the resolution of 1080p Full HD, D-series Ultra HD displays produce breathtaking detail and clarity. Full-Array LED backlighting and 12 Active LED Zones deliver superior light uniformity with an extremely high contrast, and deep, pure black levels.
Active Pixel Tuning enables pixel-level brightness adjustments for increased picture accuracy and contrast. And with Clear Action 240, sports and action fans will appreciate the powerful image processing of the D-series with a blazing 120Hz effective refresh rate achieved with backlight scanning for sharper detail in fast action scenes.
In addition, the beautifully designed D-series is optimized to deliver all of your favorite entertainment in stunning 4k Ultra HD right out of the box. Thanks to HEVC decoding and ultra-fast 802.11ac dual-band Wi-Fi (up to 3x faster), you’ll get Ultra HD streaming from popular apps like Netflix, Amazon Instant Video and UltraFlix. Its powerful Spatial Scaling Engine beautifully transforms your favorite 720p and 1080p HD sports, movies, and TV shows into near Ultra HD.
And support for the latest HDMI standards enables Ultra HD playback from next generation cable and satellite receivers, Blu-ray players and game consoles. It all adds up to a beautifully simple experience where the picture is everything and nothing is more captivating!
Why we love it: I had the opportunity to review this television earlier this fall, and in the time since, I’ve fallen even more in love with it. Not only is the picture quality fantastic, but the control options are amazing. It’s done something that I wasn’t expecting; it made me fall more in love with watching television. This is truly an amazing set that is perfect for someone wanting a large 4K unit without spending an obscene amount of money.
3. Frankenstein Monochrome Edition VFX Head
Official Copy: Factory Entertainment is proud to present its Monochrome Edition Frankenstein VFX Maquette, a 1:1 scale character replica of Boris Karloff as the Monster, produced under license from Universal Studios. Available only from Factory Direct this exclusive variant features a Monochrome paint finish designed to evoke the golden age of the silver screen, and presents the pitiful creature as he appears on screen in black and white
More than a typical bust, this polyresin piece includes electronic light and sound features to create an enhanced experience. Hauntingly accurate in every detail, the piece ‘comes alive’ when its VFX (Visual Effects) features are activated.
Universal Pictures’ Frankenstein, released in 1931, is one of the greatest horror films of all time. Boris Karloff’s portrayal of the tormented monster gave us one of the cinema’s most iconic and enduring creatures. The Frankenstein make up team was led by the legendary Jack Pierce, and the Monster’s ‘look’ was meticulously and laboriously hand-crafted prior to filming, in a time before prefabricated prosthetics existed. The flat head, neck electrodes and sunken expression have since become the ubiquitous look of the Frankenstein Monster, whether in serious horror films or parodies of the genre, perhaps because the design is as visually stunning, if not as frightening, today as it was eight decades ago.
Inspired by the work of Kenneth Strickfaden, the set designer who created the equally iconic laboratory set for the film, we have added a period style control panel to the front of the maquette. Throw the knife-switch to initiate the sequence and watch the voltage meter dial sway. Throw the switch the other way and hear the iconic line of Henry Frankenstein himself, digitally re-mastered directly from the film. The Monster’s neck electrodes can be connected up using the wires and clips, or removed depending on your preference. Turn down the lights and you will see the Monster’s eyes glow eerily, our homage to the early promotional posters for the film where the Monster appears to shoot lightning from his eyes!
A numbered limited edition of 100 pieces each Frankenstein VFX Maquette Monochrome Edition is only available from Factory Direct and is presented in a full color collector box and includes a prop story booklet, COA and numbered limited edition plaque.
Why we love it: It’s Frankenstein. Seriously. The real Frankenstein. Boris Karloff as made up by Jack Pierce decades ago. It’s hard to articulate how much I love this. Presented in a monochrome finish (there’s also one in green), this is the character as I fell in love with him watching The Creature Double Feature every Saturday morning. The bust has all sorts of bells and whistles (his eyes light up and there are special effect sounds with Colin Clive screaming, “It’s alive!”, but those are just icing on the cake.
This is an icon of pop culture. Of my childhood. Of my life. And it’s as alive as I’d ever expect him to be.
4. Comic Book Fever – A Celebration of Comics: 1976-1986
By George Khoury
Published by TwoMorrows
Official Copy: George Khoury (author of The Extraordinary Works of Alan Moore and Kimota: The Miracleman Companion) presents a love letter to his personal golden age of comics, 1976-1986, covering all the things that made those comics great—the top artists, the coolest stories, and even the best ads! Remember the days when every comic book captured your imagination, and took you to new and exciting places? When you didn’t apologize for loving the comic books and creators that gave you bliss?
Comic Book Fever captures that era, when comics offered all different genres to any kid with a pocketful of coins, at local establishments from 7-Elevens to your local drug store. Inside this full-color hardcover are new articles, interviews, and images about the people, places, characters, titles, moments, and good times that inspired and thrilled us in the Bronze Age: Neal Adams, John Romita, George Pérez, Marv Wolfman, Alan Moore, Denny O’Neil, Jim Starlin, José Luis García-López, The Hernandez Brothers, The Buscema Brothers, Stan Lee, Jack Davis, Jack Kirby, Kevin Eastman, Chris Claremont, Gerry Conway, Frank Miller—and that’s just for starters. It covers the phenoms that delighted Baby Boomers, Generation X, and beyond: Uncanny X-Men, New Teen Titans, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Love and Rockets, Crisis On Infinite Earths, Superman vs. Spider-Man, Archie Comics, Harvey Comics, Kiss, Star Wars, Rom, Hostess Cake ads, Grit(!), and other milestones! So take a trip back in time to re-experience those epic stories, and feel the heat of Comic Book Fever once again! With cover art and introduction by Alex Ross!
Why we love it: George Khoury understands the magic of comics. Keep in mind, I’m not referring to just the content. What George understands (and loves) is the passion that was unique to a generation of fans that grew up in the Seventies and Eighties.
Comics and superheroes were slowly becoming a respectable medium, rising out of the ghettoization of the medium in it’s earliest days. You had creators who grew up absorbing pop culture, including comics, who had their first chance at bat tackling not only their childhood icons, but also developing creator owned material of their own. You had an evolution of storytelling as writers, artists and publishers were able to take a risk, something that the larger companies today can’t for risk of tarnishing their Intellectual Properties.
In Comic Book Fever, George has created a time capsule of that time period. A love letter to growing up and going to the store twice a week (remember when there used to be different delivery days?). Days when today’s iconic creators were just getting started and establishing themselves. It’s already a book that I treasure and one that I wholeheartedly recommend.
5. Neca Batman Begins – 1/4 Scale Action Figure
Official copy: Batman Begins marks its 10th anniversary this year, and we’re commemorating the occasion with an impressive new 1/4 scale action figure based on Christian Bale’s portrayal of the Dark Knight.
Batman stands over 18″ tall and features an authorized likeness, a soft fabric cape and movie-accurate detail (like the hidden compartment in his boot heel that stores a sonar signaling device). The figure is loaded with accessories, including grapnel gun, large hinged Batarang, small Batarang, open and closed mines, sonar communicator and two pairs of hands.
A must-have for fans of director Christopher Nolan’s gritty Dark Knight trilogy! Window box packaging.
Why we love it: Batman is my favorite character of all time. In any medium; in any incarnation, the story of Bruce Wayne is one I hold near and dear to my heart. And, my favorite cinematic incarnation of the character is Christian Bale in Batman Begins (I dig all three of Nolan’s films immensely, but Begins is the best). And as cool as Hot Toys are, I can’t help but think that the fact that this one is 50% larger (18″ to Hot Toys’ 12″) it’s the version that we deserve. That point would be moot, of course, if it wasn’t for the fact that it’s a truly amazing sculpt that looks like someone captured Bale on set and shrunk him down 75% for retail purposes. Complete with gadgets and a cape with a wingspan of almost three feet, this figure is a reminder, that it’s not who you are underneath, but what you do that defines you.
6. Monster Mystery Stocking
Official copy: From the fine folks at Monsters Are Good comes their Monster Mystery Stocking which includes one of the 2 currently available enamel pins, both patches, all the stickers , a random poster, a 1992 monster triva book, a couple little toys and a holiday button.
Why we love it: We love monsters. You love monsters. They really love monsters. A clothing/design company, Monsters Are Good puts out some of the coolest merch month after month. This Mystery Stocking is awesome and the perfect gift (or stocking) for the monster lover on your holiday list.
7. Absolute Batman: Year One
The first volume will reprint the recolored version of the story from previous collected editions, remastered with new, high-resolution scans of the original coloring by David Mazzucchelli and Richmond Lewis.
The second volume will reprint the original 1987 version of the story as it ran in Batman #404-407, reproduced from scans made by Mazzucchelli and Lewis from the printed comic book pages, presented on stock that simulates the look and feel of the original comics. This volume will include Miller’s complete scripts and Mazzucchelli’s complete pencil layouts for all four chapters!
Together, the two volumes will include more than 60 pages of bonus material, including everything seen in the existing hardcover and trade paperback collections
Why we love it: Absolute Batman: Year One might very well be my favorite comic book story of all time. This edition is a bit of a curiosity, but the good outweighs the bad especially since the story means so much to me. The two volumes include the same book, one reprinting the story on higher quality paper as series colorist Richmond Lewis revisited it in 1988. The second reprints the book on newsprint-type paper as originally released in comic form in 1987. This book features a sub-par scan which unfortunately results in a blurry reproduction. The first book is visually stunning and the supplementary material which includes layouts, designs and scripts is truly amazing.
8. The Good, the Tough & the Deadly
Written by David J. Moore
Published by Schiffer Publishing
Official copy: This massive study on action movies and stars from around the world, from the 1960s to the present, is filled with more than a thousand in-depth movie reviews that cover every action star who’s crossed over from the world of martial arts, sports, professional wrestling, and stunt work. Exploding with beautiful images, exclusive interviews, and a thorough action star index, this one-of-a-kind movie reference book and comprehensive fan guide features reviews by the author, Zack Carlson (Destroy All Movies!!! The Complete Guide to Punks on Film), Vern (Seagalogy: A Study of the Ass-Kicking Films of Steven Seagal and Yippie Ki-Yay Moviegoer!), Mike McBeardo McPadden (Heavy Metal Movies and Going All the Way: The Ultimate Guide to Teen Sex Comedies of the VHS Era), and several others. It is a quintessential tribute to the men and women who have left their mark in the action and martial arts film genres.
Why we love it: Every cinegeek that I know not only has an expansive home video library, but also a print one as well.
It makes perfect sense. Although we live in the digital age, true cinegeeks understand the value and importance of physical media.
And every once in a while a book comes out that serves as a reminder why print should never die. David J. Moore’s book, The Good, The Tough & The Deadly is not the kind of book that you pick up and read straight through (although you can), but it belongs on your coffee table or next to your bed to pick up and peruse frequently. It’s packed with not only reviews, but also interviews and additional information about some of the most important actors and filmmakers of the genre. It’s something that deserves to be read again and again. That’s still something that in my opinion, digital has yet to conquer.
Like his previous book also from Schiffer Books, World Gone Wild: A Survivor’s Guide to Post-Apocalyptic Movies, Moore has crafted an essential volume for every movie lover.
9. The Twilight Zone: The Complete Series Blu-ray
Released by Paramount Home Video
Official copy: All 156 episodes of Rod Serling’s classic, groundbreaking series are presented in pristine high-definition in this spectacular Blu-ray box set. Also includes many hours of special bonus features, including: Rare unofficial pilot episode “The Time Element,” Original unaired pilot version of “Where is Everybody?” with Rod Serling’s network pitch, Numerous audio commentaries and interviews, Rod Serling’s audio lectures, Promos for “next week’s” show, Radio dramas, Sponsor billboards, Isolated music scores, and so much more.
Why we love it: “You unlock this door with the key of imagination. Beyond it is another dimension – a dimension of sound, a dimension of sight, a dimension of mind. You’re moving into a land of both shadow and substance, of things and ideas. You’ve just crossed over into the Twilight Zone.”
The Twilight Zone is one of the greatest television series in the history of the medium. An anthology from the brilliant imagination of Rod Serling that attracted some of television’s greatest writers including Richard Matheson, Charles Beaumont, Ray Bradbury, Earl Hamner, Jr., George Clayton Johnson, Reginald Rose, Jerry Sohl and Serling himself.
Among the amazing actors who appeared in the series were Jack Klugman, Burgess Meredith, James Best, Bill Mumy, Stafford Repp, Paul Mazursky , Marjorie Bennett, William Shatner, Lee Marvin, Cliff Robertson, Russell Johnson, Fritz Weaver, Martin Landau, Martin Balsam, Jack Warden, Claude Akins, Ross Martin, Jack Weston, Jonathan Harris, Warren Oates, Dean Stockwell, Olan Soule, Art Carney,John Carradine, Rod Taylor, Kevin McCarthy, Roddy McDowall, Keenan Wynn, Shelley Berman, Peter Falk, Buster Keaton, Elizabeth Montgomery, Agnes Moorehead, Dennis Weaver, Donald Pleasence, James Coburn, Robert Duvall, Pat Hingle, Dennis Hopper, Mickey Rooney, Telly Savalas, Jackie Cooper, Wally Cox, Diana Hyland, Dan Duryea, Sebastian Cabot, Vera Miles, Buddy Ebsen, Cloris Leachman, Jonathan Winters, Carol Burnett, Wilfrid Hyde-White, Shelley Fabares, Mariette Hartley, George Takei, Murray Hamilton, Sydney Pollack, Strother Martin, R.G. Armstrong, Richard Kiel,Nancy Kulp,Barbara Barrie, Sterling Holloway, Leonard Nimoy, Lee Van Cleef, Dub Taylor, Ron Howard, William Schallert, James Doohan, Alan Napier, Michael Conrad, Henry Corden, Julie Newmar, John Astin, Burt Reynolds and Don Rickles.
Collecting all 156 episodes, The Twilight Zone: The Complete Series features science-fiction, fantasy, psychological-
10. Forces of Geek T-Shirt
Manufactured by Tee Public
Why we love it: It’s an awesome shirt! We made it, paying homage to one of this year’s biggest pop culture phenomenons, Stranger Things, and not only will this shirt make you cooler, but infinitely more attractive!
