Give the gift of entertainment
If you’re still wondering what to give your friends and family this holiday season, why not let Hollywood do some of the hard work for you?
Every year at Christmas time, the studios issue a blizzard of new releases from all different genres. There’s TV shows available in complete series box sets, beloved movies beefed up with lots of special features, and holiday classics in sparkling new transfers.
Below are ten suggestions that would make ideal stocking stuffers for your nearest and dearest.
Miracle on 34th Street: 70th Anniversary (1947, Fox, unrated, $15) Edmund Gwenn won an Oscar for his wonderful performance as Kris Kringle in this still-dazzling charmer. Natalie Wood co-stars as a youngster who’s been taught by her mom (Maureen O’Hara) not to believe in St. Nick. But Kris is willing to go to great lengths to prove that yes, Natalie, there is a Santa Claus. It’s one of the most endearing holiday movies of all time — and it looks better than ever on Blu-ray. CSI: A scene from “Miracle on 34th Street.” The Fall: Complete Collection (2017, Acorn, unrated, $70) Long before he made audiences swoon in “Fifty Shades of Grey,” Jamie Dornan was killer good as a violent predator named Paul Spector in this engrossing thriller that ranks with TV’s best police procedurals. Gillian Anderson (“The X-Files”) stars as icy DSI Stella Gibson who is called to Belfast to investigate a string of murders. It doesn’t take Gibson long to close in on Spector but pinning the slayings on him is quite a challenge. Cat and mouse thrillers don’t come any more fascinating than this smart and stylish series.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: (2017, Warner, PG-13, $35) All of the “Potters,” including this series stand-out, receive 4K upgrades this season. While it’s only been six years since the original franchise came to a close, it’s still fun to revisit the adventures of Master Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) and his pals (Emma Watson, Rupert Grint). In the enthralling “Azkaban,” Harry must confront the soulsucking Dementors, outsmart a werewolf and figure out the truth about Sirius Black (Gary Oldman).
The Godfather Trilogy: The Three Stooges: Big Box of Nyuks (2017, Mill Creek, unrated, $45) For the comedy lover on your holiday list comes over 40“poifect” hours of entertainment thanks to this budget-priced ten disc set. On tap are six feature films starring Moe, Shemp and Larry, 156episodes of the “Three Stooges” animated series, seven shorts starring the original trio, TV pilots, a nine-part documentary about the comics and the 2000 biopic starring Evan Handler, Michael Chiklis and Paul BenVictor. For $45, that’s a lot of nyuks for your buck. Charlotte’s Web: Limited Edition Gift Set (2006, Paramount, PG, $20) For the first time the delightful 2006 movie starring Dakota Fanning is paired with E.B. White’s beloved book. In addition to enjoying the saga of a tiny spider who spins a great tale of friendship and adventure, Mysteries of China: (2017, Shout Factory, unrated, $30) If you have a travel junkie on your holiday list, consider picking up this stunning documentary, filmed for IMAX theaters, about the discovery of China’s Terracotta Warriors and the Tomb of the First Emperor. Considered one of the most important archaeological events of the modern age, these unearthed time capsules set the stage for a deep dive into the history of China. Expect a visual adventure that makes use of cuttingedge time-lapse photography to reveal the backstory of a superpower.