The Movie Moan Holiday Gift Guide 2010

You've heard the podcast, now read the novelization of 'The Movie Moan Holiday Gift Guide'. To save you having to rewind the show on your media player, we now present all of the gifts we recommended for the holiday season:

The Perfect Gift For The Film Fan Who Has (And Knows) Everything

Phil chooses: 'Alien Anthology' (blu-ray)

I decided to choose from among the year's most definitive, special features laden, be-all, end-all presentation of a classic film or classic series of movies. Basically the kind of blu-ray box set that will tell you things the director doesn't even know. There has been some stiff competition this year but I decided to choose Fox's superlative 'Alien Anthology' blu-ray set for the simple reason of improving upon the perfection of the 2003 'Alien Quadrilogy' providing full disclosure on the sad production saga of 'Alien 3', finally revealing those never before seen deleted scenes and taking full advantage of the format by packing each film withextended cuts, commentaries, isolated scores, 12 hours worth of documentary material crammed onto one disc and the miracle of making 'Aliens' look not-grainy.

Jamie chooses: 'Blade Runner': Five Disc Ultimate Collector's Edition (dvd/blu-ray)

It's a set so big, so definitive, so overwhelming that Jamie still hasn't finished getting through it 2 years on from its release. The 'Blade Runner' ultimate edition did what many thought was impossible and managed to create a set that could not fail to satisfy even its most ardent fan (save for a proper featurette of the music of Vangelis). Because it's a gift guide, Jamie recommends the full-on limited edition suitcase version above but if you can't afford to buy that from Ebay or Amazon Marketplace, a regular blu-ray edition of the five discer is also available.

Kristina chooses: '20th Century Fox 75th Anniversary Collection' (dvd)

Cavalcade, Steamboat Around The Bend, The Little Princess, The Grapes Of Wrath, Blood And Sand, How Green Was My Valley, The Ox-Bow Incident, The Song Of Bernadette, Laura, Gentlemen's Agreement, Miracle On 34th Street, Twelve O'Clock High, All About Eve, The Day The EarthStood Still, Gentlemen Prefer Blonde, The Robe, The Seven Year Itch, The King And I, Love Me Tender, An Affair To Remember, South Pacific, The Diary of Anne Frank, The Hustler, The Longest Day, Cleopatra, Zorba The Greek, The Sound Of Music, Fantastic Voyage, The Sand Pebbles, Planet Of The Apes, Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid, Hello Dolly, MASH, Patton, The French Connection, The Poseidon Adventure, Phantom Of Paradise, Young Frankenstein, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Omen, Star Wars, Alien, All That Jazz, Norma Rae, Cocoon, Raising Arizona, Wall Street, Big, Die Hard, Working Girl, Home Alone, The Last Of The Mohicans, Mrs. Doubtfire, Speed, Waiting To Exhale, The Crucible, Independence Day, The Full Monty, There's Something About Mary, Boys Don't Cry, Cast Away, X-Men, Moulin Rouge, Ice Age, Master And Commander: The Far Side Of The World, Sideways, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Walk The Line, The Devil Wears Prada, Little Miss Sunshine, Night At The Museum, Juno, Slumdog Millionaire, Avatar.

That's the Fox legacy and will be more than enough to keep someone occupied until you have to figure out what to get them next year. The set is released in the US tomorrow so if you have the money and the person you're buying for doesn't actually own any films, pick this one up.

Lou chooses: 'The Ebert Club' Yearly Subscription & 'Awake In The Dark: The Best Of Roger Ebert'

Even tough I adore them both equally, I will admit that Ebert was always a better writer than Siskel. In fact, Ebert's work is as damn near addictive as Youtubeclips of him in action. So what better way to get your fix than with bothhis book, which compiles 40 years worthof essays, musings and reviews into one tome but also a subscription to his blog, which will keep you up to date with updates to his site, upcoming film festivals, merchandise etc. You can sign up right here.

The Perfect Gift To Get Your Kids Hooked On Movies

Phil chooses: 'Toy Story 3' (blu-ray)

Totally obvious and completely irrelevant since all the children of the world already own it at this point but chosen for a very specific reason. The special features on Pixarmovies have always inspired bothkids and adults alike with the notion that it is possible to make movies and have tremendous amounts of fun at the same time and I think plenty of children becoming future film makers or at least film students will look back and say they got into movies because of Pixar inspiring them. The special features on the 'Toy Story 3' blu-ray seem specifically geared to act as a sort of film school 101 for children. In particular, one featurette has the film's screenwriter Michael Arndt deconstructing the essentials of what makes a great screenplay using previous Pixar films as case studies and using language any child can understand. It's something quite special and inspiring.

Jamie chooses: 'The Adventures Of Indiana Jones' Trilogy Boxset (dvd)

Do I need to explain this? I'm sure there is a new and improved blu-ray set on the way with even more goodies but the problem is you'll have to pay for the fourth film as well. This 2003 boxset is still a beautifully presented set of a film series which cannot fail to get any child, of any age, into film. The only problem is finding an action adventure series they can watch afterwards that won't pale in comparison.

Kristina chooses: 'Hayao Miyazaki Collection' (dvd)

If you're kid spends too long with Disney and Dreamworks output, they might reject the notion that great animated feature films can come from foreign countries. What better way to prove otherwise than indoctrinate them from an early age on the definitive works of Hayao Miyazaki. Kristina's pick is a boxset containing Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, My Neighbour Totoro, Castle In The Sky, Nausicaa, and Kiki's Delivery Service. That should take them into the new year quite comfortably.

Lou chooses: 'The Iron Giant' (dvd)

The appreciation builds for it year after year but until they start making Brad Bird's stunning directorial debut compulsory viewing in schools, you need to show it your nearest and dearest and the sooner, the better.

The Perfect Gift For Someone Who Doesn't Watch Much TV But Really Should

Phil chooses: 'I. Claudius' (dvd)

If want to get someone into TV then it might help to show them, in my opinion, the best television series ever made. 'I. Claudius' which is readily available on DVD on both sides of the pond is a 1970's BBCTV miniseries adaptation of the books by Robert Graves which covers the long bloody, debauched and sometimes downright bonkers life of its title character Claudius. Born into the imperial family of ancient Rome, we see through Claudius' eyes the rise and fall of the Emperors Augustus, Tiberius and Caligula and how, by pure accident, a man born with a limp, a stammer, a stutter, a hearing defect and the apparent appearance of being an imbecile, eventually became Emperor himself while all of his friends and family are butchered or exiled around him. Everything you could ever want in a story is in this piece, superbly written and directed and performed by an all star cast of reliable British thespians. After you've seen it, you wont need to watch any other TV drama again.

Lou & Kristina & Jamie & Ed choose: 'The Wire': The Complete Series (dvd)

When four people tell you something at the same time, you really ought to listen. Despite my opinion, 'The Wire' seems statistically proven to officially be the greatest television show of all time. It will take a fair bit longer to get through than 'I.Claudius' but if you have the time, this is the only TV boxset you need to buy. I know I will be.......eventually.

Jamie also chose: 'Arrested Development': The Complete Series (dvd)

Not quite as short as 'I.Claudius' but not nearly as long as 'The Wire' having only produced roughly 50 plus episodes across 3 seasons, one of Jamie's favorite shows of all time launched Michael Cera (for better or worse depending on how you feel) and allowed Jason Bateman to truly put 'Teen Wolf Too' behind him.

The Perfect Gift For The Nostalgia Fiend

Phil chooses: Tron: Legacy action figures

This isn't just nostalgia talking here but we had really cool toys when we were kids and that just seems to be a lost art these days. I see the store shelves clogged with plastic crap that has little to no appeal. Every one of the toys we loved in the 80's and 90's had some sort of special gimmick that made them cool. The newly released Tron: Legacy toys spoke to that yearning child still inside me. Firstly, it's Tronso its automatically cool. Secondly, you press the button on these figures and they're faces light up, animate and speak. Word of advice though; make sure whoever you buy these for plays with them before they see the film. I get the feeling it won't be cool to have a 'Tron' anything in a few weeks time.

Jamie chooses: NES Retro Entertainment System

You might still have the game cartridges lying around somewhere but I'll bet your actual console has seen better days. Well there is no need to pay for one on Ebay and pray it is in good condition. The NES Retro Entertainment System is the actual NES 8-bit system in all but design and will play all your classic NES cartridges. Give this and a couple of games for someone and they won't be coming to the table for Christmas dinner without a fight.

Kristina chooses: 'Waking Sleeping Beauty' (dvd)

Just released this past week on region 1 dvd, 'Waking Sleeping Beauty' is a brilliant documentary which takes us on a no-holds barred journey into the Walt Disney Animation Studios and how they pulled themselves out of the darkest period in the company's history with flops like 'The Black Cauldron' and into the light making the films of the late 80's/early 90's which came to define them. On a pure storytelling level, this is one of the greatest factual comeback stories ever documented and for the nostalgic who grew up on 'The Little Mermaid' & 'Beauty And The Beast', it's a trip down memory lane.

Lou chooses: Diamond Select Toys Star Trek Classic Phaser

William Shatner smugness not included.

The Perfect Gift For Someone Who Loves Videogames But Doesn't Have Enough Time To Play Them

Phil chooses: 'Tron Evolution: Battle Grids' (Nintendo Wii)

I chose this category for Jamieand myself specifically as, love games as we do, we don't have as much time as we would like to play them. For too many games these days are not designed for people like us. The preferred method seems to be to create sandbox games, ones with huge open worlds that expect gamers to have the patience to invest 60 hours plus into them. What happened to games you can just pick up and play? It is sad that this kind of approach is considered nostalgic or 'retro; these days. Regardless, my choice is one designed specifically for our needs. 'Tron Evolution: Battle Grids' bypasses the cut scenes and mundane story based gameplay of the XBOX and PS3 versions of the game and instead offers pure multiplayer entertainment featuring all manner of Tron world inspired events such as disc wars, tank chases, lightcycle races etc. And it's Tron so how can you pass it up?

Jamie chooses: Donkey Kong Country Returns (Nintendo Wii)

I've not played it yet but I am reliable ensured that the plot does not involve Donkey Kong returning to the jungle after a long spell away to reunite with the child he never knew he had. But it is an excellent re-imagining of one of the finest games of the 16 bit era. It's pick up and play. Be warned though; I've heard this one is ball-shatteringly difficult.

Kristina chooses: Wii Sports (Nintendo Wii - obviously)

I swear we are not getting payolla from Nintendo here folks. They just happen to make the most fun videogames which can be enjoyed in short bursts and no matter what flagship Mario or Zelda titles they release, I think Wii Sports is the one that will define Nintendo'scurrent console. It's fun and it's a workout tool (I ended up with the physical rating of a 60 year old the first time I played). Just make sure whoever is carving the Christmas meat doesn't play a round of Wiibowling beforehand. They won't have a functioning arm to carve with.

Lou chooses: The Legend Of Zelda: The Ocarina Of Time (Nintendo Wii Virtual Arcade)

Arguably the greatest videogame of all time, Ocarina Of Time expertly balances the scope of an epic adventure with the instant, addictive playability of its individual quests and before you know it, you've surrendered to its will. Rather than paying for a Nintendo 64 console and a copy of the original cartridge, the game is available for download on the Wii virtual arcade for peanuts. Let's face it though, if you're any kind of gamer then you've already played it.

The Ideal Gift For The Jamie Williams In Your Home - 25th Anniversary Super Mario All-Stars Collection (Nintendo Wii)

The ultimate encapsulation of everything we talked about; it's fun, it's pick up and play, it's nostalgic, it's Mario.  This limited edition set contains the original 'Super Mario All-Stars Collection' which is a 16 bit remake of the original Super Mario Bros. 1, 3 and both the American and Japanese versions of 2.  It also contains a second disc featuring a booklet on the history of the character and a soundtrack CD containing music spanning every Mario game.  If only it had a free copy of the Bob Hoskins, Dennis Hopper film as well.

The Ideal Gift For The Lou Sytsma In Your Home - 'Star Trek V: The Final Frontier' 2 CD Expanded Soundtrack by Jerry Goldsmith

Following on from their expanded releases of the scores for 'Wrath of Khan' and 'The Search For Spock', La-La Land Records has outdone themselves once more with a comprehensive release of Jerry Goldsmith's beautiful score for the much maligned fifth film, one of the only elements of that movie that corners weren't cut on.

The Ideal Gift For The Capt. Ed Hocken In Your Home - 'Video Nasties: The Definitive Guide' (dvd)

Though he is a man of impeccable film taste, Ed also has a taste for trashy and the cheesy Grindhouse flicks of old.  We've had many a conversation on air and off about 'Grindhouse' and 'Machete' in particular.  Therefore I think he would really love this incredible 3 DVD set (about 9 hours of content in all) which provides a definitive account of the video nasties hysteria of the early 1980's in the UK where the home video market suddenly exploded and brought with it all manner of exploitation films, often with the most ludicrous titles and even more disturbing cover art.  The set features an hour long documentary detailing how many of these titles were seized, banned, and sometimes burned by the Director of Public Prosecutions, how some of said titles were actually harmless horror classic like 'The Evil Dead' which never should have been on the hit list at all, and how the most fraudulent statistics were created to support the theory that video nasties were a national threat to both children and dogs.  As great as the documentary is, it is only the icing on the cake.  The set also contains original trailers for all 72 films which ended up on the DPP's banned list as well as introductions by fans and experts.  This really is a trash cinema film course in a box.  It is only available in the UK but it is region free and I cannot recommend it enough to my friends across the pond (if you're willing to pay the shipping you can get it from Amazon UK here).

So that's this year's gift guide folks.  We had a great time doing this so let us know if you want it to be a yearly event. And once again, thanks to both Quint at 'Ain't It Cool News' for doing this first on the web and inspiring the idea, and to the immortal Siskel & Ebert for doing this first on television and just generally inspiring us all the time.

Happy holidays everyone!