OnVideo's Holiday Gift Guide

A discriminating list for movie lovers

Bob Dylan: Don't Look Back

"Bob Dylan: Dont Look Back -- 65 Tour Deluxe Edition" is the ultimate look at Bob Dylan's concert tour of England in the spring of 1965 -- one of the most intimate profiles of an artist ever put to film. This definitive set includes the remastered classic film by D.A. Pennebaker, a brand-new, hour-long look at Dylan, and the original 168-page companion book to the film. More than just a concert film, "Dont Look Back" is a window into the spirit of the 60s, and one of the poet-musicians whose words and songs defined it. Disc 1: Bob Dylan Dont Look Back contains the digitally-remastered version of the cinema verite classic that follows Dylan on his extraordinary 1965 concert tour of England -- his last as an acoustic performer. With unobtrusive equipment and rare access to Dylan, Pennebaker achieved an unprecedented, fly-on-the-wall glimpse of one of music's most influential figures. Disc 2: Bob Dylan 65 Revisited: Forty years after the release of "Dont Look Back," Pennebaker created a new work culled from more than 20 hours of never-before-seen rare footage from his personal archive of film negatives, offering up a fresh perspective of the young Dylan on the road during his 1965 English tour. The 168-page companion book features a complete transcription of the film, more than 200 photos, and a new forward by Pennebaker. The collectible "Subterranean Homesick Blues" flipbook provides a frame-by-frame look at the film's famed "cue-card" sequence. Also included are five additional uncut audio tracks; two commentaries by Pennebaker and tour road manager Bob Neuwirth; an alternate version of the "Subterranean Homesick Blues" cue card sequence; the original theatrical trailer, and more. $49.95. (Docurama).

Blade Runner

Ridley Scott's "Blade Runner" is one of the most important science fiction films -- no, one of the most important films -- of the 20th century. Riffing on Phillip K. Dick's "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" Scott put together a film that has had immeasurable influence on society for its futuristic depiction of a dystopian world -- and has been the fertile foundation for hundreds of sci-fi films to come. The film has appeared on more "Top Five" sci-fi lists than any other film. The story of the film's postproduction -- the trimming of important scenes, the added voice-over narration, the different versions -- and then the film's poor critical and audience response on its initial release -- has been well documented elsewhere. Suffice to say that, on its 25th anniversary, Scott went back into postproduction to create the long-awaited definitive new version. "Blade Runner: The Final Cut," spectacularly restored and remastered from original elements and scanned at 4K resolution, contains never-before-seen added/extended scenes, added lines, new and improved special effects, director and filmmaker commentary, an all-new 5.1 Dolby Digital audio track and more. Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Edward James Olmos, Joanna Cassidy, Sean Young, and Daryl Hannah are among some 80 stars, filmmakers and others who participate in the extensive bonus features. Three DVD editions will be available: a Two-Disc Special Edition ($20.97), a Four-Disc Collector's Edition ($34.99) and a Five-Disc Ultimate Collector's Edition ($78.92) in collectible "Deckard Briefcase" packaging. Simultaneous HD DVD and Blu-ray versions of the five-disc set, in both digi-pak and "Deckard Briefcase" (in numbered, limited quantities) will also be released. Only the four-disc and five-disc sets have all the versions of the film (The new version plus three previous versions: 1982 theatrical version that contains Deckard/Harrison Ford's character narration and has Deckard and Rachel's (Sean Young) "happy ending" escape scene; the 1982 international version, which was used on U.S. home video, laserdisc and cable releases up to 1992, is not rated, and contains some extended action scenes in contrast to the theatrical version; and the 1992 director's cut, which omits Deckard's voiceover narration and removes the "happy ending" finale. It adds the famously controversial "unicorn" sequence, a vision that Deckard has which suggests that he, too, may be a replicant).For in-depth information on each release, turn to our "Blade Runner" calendar listing. (Warner).

Ford at Fox

John Ford is unarguably one of the greatest filmmakers of all time. His sphere of influence touched contemporaries such as Ingmar Bergman and Orson Welles; as well as George Lucas, Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg. For much of his early career, Ford's home was 20 Century Fox, where he made more than 50 films for the studio from 1920 through 1952, including such classics as The Grapes of Wrath, My Darling Clementine, Drums Along The Mohawk and How Green Was My Valley. This collection brings together 24 Ford films from his 32 years at the studio. Included in the set are "Just Pals" (1920), "The Iron Horse" (1924), "3 Bad Men" (1926), "Four Sons" (1928), "Hangman's House" (1928), "Born Reckless" (1930), "Up the River" (1930), "Seas Beneath" (1931), "Doctor Bull" (1933), "Pilgrimage" (1933), "Judge Priest" (1934), "The World Moves On" (1934), "Steamboat Round the Bend" (1935), "The Prisoner of Shark Island" (1936), "Wee Willie Winkie" (1937), "Four Men and a Prayer" (1938), "Drums Along the Mohawk" (1939), "Young Mr. Lincoln" (1939), "The Grapes of Wrath" (1940), "Tobacco Road" (1941), "How Green Was My Valley" (1941), "My Darling Clementine" (1946), "When Willie Comes Marching Home" (1950), "What Price Glory" (1952), and the new documentary "Becoming John Ford" by Academy Award nominated documentary maker and Ford historian Nick Redman. The beautifully packaged collection also includes an exclusive hard-cover book which features rare, unpublished photographs from Ford's career, lobby card reproductions, production stills and an in-depth look at this maverick's work. The premiere "Ford at Fox" collection will be available for a suggested retail price of $299.98. Three mini-collections will also be available including "The Essential John Ford," "John Ford's American Comedies" and "John Ford's Silent Epics," all for a suggested retail price of $49.98. Single discs of selected films from the collection will be available for $19.98. (Fox).

Criterion:

Breathless
(1960) Director: Jean-Luc Godard. Stars: Jean-Paul Belmondo, Jean Seberg, Jean-Pierre Melville. A new, restored high-definition digital transfer, approved by director of photography Raoul Coutard. Double-disc set. There was before "Breathless," and there was after "Breathless." With its lack of polish, surplus of attitude, crackling personalities of rising stars Jean-Paul Belmondo and Jean Seberg, and anything-goes crime narrative, Jean-Luc Godard's debut fashioned a simultaneous homage to and critique of the American film genres that influenced and rocked him as a film writer for Cahiers du cinema. Jazzy, free-form, and sexy, "Breathless (A bout de souffle)" helped launch the French new wave and ensured cinema would never be the same. $39.95.

Days of Heaven
(1978) Director: Terrence Malick. Stars: Richard Gere, Brooke Adams, Sam Shepard, Linda Manz. A new, restored high-definition digital transfer, supervised and approved by director Terrence Malick, editor Billy Weber, and camera operator John Bailey. One-of-a-kind filmmaker-philosopher Terrence Malick has created some of the most visually arresting movies of the 20 century, and his glorious period tragedy "Days of Heaven," featuring Oscar-winning cinematography by Nestor Almendros, stands out among them. In 1910, a Chicago steel worker (Richard Gere) accidentally kills his supervisor and flees to the Texas panhandle with his girlfriend (Brooke Adams) and little sister (Linda Manz) to work harvesting wheat in the fields of a stoic farmer (Sam Shepard). A love triangle, a swarm of locusts, a hellish fire -- Malick captures it all with dreamlike authenticity, creating at once a timeless American idyll and a gritty evocation of turn-of-the-century labor. $39.95.

Ingmar Bergman: Four Masterworks
(1960) Legendary auteur Ingmar Bergman (1918-2007) emerged in the 1950s as an art-house icon and remained one for more than four decades. Here, together in one box set, are four of the unforgettable works that helped establish his international preeminence: "Smiles of a Summer Night," "The Seventh Seal," "Wild Strawberries" and "The Virgin Spring." $99.95.

Each Criterion release is, of course, loaded with excellent bonus features and liner notes (usually a sumptiously produced booklet).

Help!

(1965) Director: Richard Lester. Stars: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Leo McKern, Eleanor Bron, Victor Spinetti. This two-disc set is available in two editions: a standard digipack and a deluxe boxed set that contains a reproduction of Richard Lester's original annotated script, eight lobby cards and a poster, plus a 60-page book with rarely seen photographs and production notes from the movie. Both the deluxe book and the standard booklet feature an introduction by Richard Lester and an appreciation by Martin Scorsese. Extras: "The Beatles in Help!" 30 minute documentary about the making of the film with Richard Lester, the cast and crew, with exclusive behind the-scenes footage of The Beatles on the set; missing scene featuring Wendy Richard; "The Restoration of Help!" featurette on the film's restoration process; "Memories of Help!" with the cast and crew. (EMI Music).

The Princess Bride 20th Anniversary Edition

(1987) Director: Rob Reiner. Stars: Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Christopher Guest, Wallace Shawn, Andre the Giant, Robin Wright Penn, Fred Savage, Peter Falk, Peter Cook, Mel Smith, Carol Kane, Billy Crystal, Anne Dyson, Margery Mason. A wonderfully warm and endearing fairy tale for grownups combining comedy, adventure, romance and fantasy and featuring swordplay, giants, an evil prince, a beautiful princess, a quest for love, revenge and much much more. Extras include "True Love and High Adventure: The Official Princess Bride DVD Video Game," "Princess Bride: The Untold Tales" featurette, "The Art of Fencing" featurette, "Fairytales and Folklore" featurette. (MGM).

The Evil Dead Ultimate Edition

(1981) Director: Sam Raimi. Stars: Bruce Campbell, Ellen Sandweiss, Richard DeManincor, Betsy Baker, Theresa Tilly. Commemorates the film's 25th anniversary. Over the years, Anchor Bay Entertainment has released numerous special editions of "The Evil Dead," each one more dynamic and diabolical than the one that preceded it, in an effort to continually satiate and satisfy the ravenous hunger of the film's worldwide legion of fans. This three-disc set includes: Disc One: Widescreen version, "One by One We Will Take You: The Untold Saga of The Evil Dead" featurette, commentary by director Sam Raimi and producer Robert Tapert ; Disc Two: Full-frame version, "The Evil Dead: Treasures From the Cutting Room Floor" featurette, commentary by actor Bruce Campbell; Disc Three Special Features: "Life After Death: The Ladies of the Evil Dead": At home, on the road and behind-the-scenes with Ellen Sandweiss, Betsy Baker and Theresa Tilly, "The Ladies of the Evil Dead Meet Bruce Campbell: Ellen, Betsy & Theresa join Bruce for an informal yakfest, "Unconventional":Cast and crew reunite to discuss horror conventions and beyond, "At the Drive-In": No-holds-barred Q&A with a drive-in audience of hardcore fans, "Reunion Panel": The once-in-a-lifetime panel at Chicago's Flashback Weekend Horror Convention, "Discovering the Evil Dead": A look at the British home video release of "The Evil Dead" and it's place in the "Video Nasties" debate, make-up test, trailer, TV spots, still gallery. $34.97. (Anchor Bay Entertainment).

Star Trek: The Original Series

Ten-disc HD DVD/DVD combo set with the complete first season, remastered from the original camera negatives with new digital visual effects and a new 5.1 soundtrack. Extras include: Standard DVD: Featurettes: "Spacelift: Transporting Trek Into the 21st Century," "The Birth of a Timeless Legacy," "Reflections on Spock," "Life Beyond Trek: William Shatner," "To Boldly Go ... Season One," "Sci-Fi Visionaries," rare home movies, more. Extras: HD DVD: "Starfleet Access: Picture-in-Picture commentaries, trivia, more; interactive Enterprise tour, game preview. , $217.99. (Paramount).

Scholastic Treasury of 100 Storybook Classics

100 award-winning and classic children's stories are faithfully adapted and brought to life in this comprehensive 16-DVD collection. From the Maurice Sendak classic "Where the Wild Things Are" to the beloved adventures of Curious George and Corduroy, parents and children alike are sure to enjoy these classic treasures, featuring celebrity narration from Sarah Jessica Parker, James Earl Jones, Cyndi Lauper, Forest Whitaker and many more. The stories feature a helpful read-along option, allowing viewers to read the words along with the narration. Stories include "Harry the Dirty Dog," "Good Night, Gorilla," "Is Your Mama a Llama?" "Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears" and much, much more. $99.95. (Scholastic Video).

Here's a smattering of gift sets that will excite film and TV fans:

The Coen Brothers Gift Set: A five-disc set with "Blood Simple," "Raising Arizona," "Millers Crossing," "Barton Fink" and "Fargo," $49.98. (MGM).

James Bond Ultimate Collector's Set: Forty-two disc set with all 21 James Bond films (each title has two discs: one for the film, one for bonus material such as documentaries, music videos, Interviews, more); $239.98. (MGM).

Seinfeld: The Complete Series Collector's Edition: Thirty-two discs with 180 episodes, $283.95. Extras: "The Official Coffee Table Book," a 226-page anthology; bonus disc of the cast reunion. (Sony).

The X-Files -- The Complete Collector's Edition" A sixty-one-disc set loaded with extras, $329.98. (Fox).

Saturday Night Live: The Complete Second Season: An eight-disc set with all 23 episodes from SNL's second season (1976-77); $69.98. Extras: "Saturday Night Live Mardi Gras Special," performer screen test for Andy Kaufman, audio files for dress rehearsals, collector's scrapbook. (Universal).

501 Movie Directors: A Comprehensive Guide to the Greatest Filmmakers

Steven Jay Schneider, General Editor. Hardcover, 640 pages, New York: Barron's Educational Series, 2008

A copy of this valuable book is destined to find its way into the home of every true movie fan, cinema scholar, and film critic. It's an A-to-Z compendium that profiles the 501 most important film directors of all time. Entries -- augmented with a photo of each director plus movie stills from his or her films -- describe such major figures as Sergei Eisenstein, Martin Scorsese, Alfred Hitchcock, Fritz Lang, Leni Riefenstahl, Orson Welles, Federico Fellini, Steven Spielberg, Robert Altman, and many, many others. Readers will learn: Why D. W. Griffith is called the father of filmmaking; the details surrounding Martin Scorsese's fascination with New York; the truth about Alfred Hitchcock's stunning blondes ... and much more. Each filmmaker receives at least a one-page entry, which includes discussion of their work and influences, their complete filmography, and listing of awards they have received. Seventy-five directors of special importance are profiled in larger entries -- two-page spreads -- while 15 internationally acknowledged master directors are discussed and examined in two double-page spreads. It's a wonderful book for browsing, for reference, and for gaining insights into the personalities who directed the most memorable movies ever made. From the team behind the best-selling "1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die."

501 Movie Stars: A Comprehensive Guide to the Greatest Screen Actors

Steven Jay Schneider, General Editor. Hardcover, 640 pages, New York: Barron's Educational Series, 2008

Humphrey Bogart, Marilyn Monroe, Meryl Streep, James Dean, Anna Magnani, Tom Hanks, Nicole Kidman, Cary Grant, Marcello Mastroianni, Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Angelina Jolie, and hundreds more larger-than-life film stars have captured the collective imagination of millions of movie fans around the world. Now, 501 Movie Stars pays homage to these pop culture idols with absorbing essays that describe each star's work, influences, and legacy. Each entry also includes the actor's filmography to date, descriptions of productive alliances with directors and other actors, famous cameos, stylistic innovations, and the many other details that contributed to making these actors unforgettable stars. Entries are listed chronologically by birth date, with movie stills and portrait photos accompanying each star's entry. The entries vary in length, with the most influential stars receiving up to six pages. Collected here in succinct, information-packed biographical sketches are the lives and careers behind the most widely recognized faces of the past hundred years. Another book from the team behind the best-selling "1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die."

Cut! Hollywood Murders, Accidents, and Other Tragedies

By Denise Imwold, Andrew Brettell, Heather von Rohr, Warren Hsu Leonard, Bruce Elder and Dr. Noel King. Hardcover, 368 pages, New York: Barron's Educational Series, 2005

"Rebel Without a Cause" was one of the most talked-about movies of the 1950s. It might also have been the most jinxed. Among its stars, James Dean was soon killed in a car crash, Sal Mineo died several years later, murdered by an unknown assailant, and the beautiful Natalie Wood died mysteriously when she fell from a docked pleasure boat and drowned. This heavily illustrated book recounts these and many other tragic events that have haunted the Hollywood movie community from its early-20th century beginnings to the present day. Here are accounts of the sudden, premature deaths of stars like Rudolph Valentino, Montgomery Clift and Peter Sellers. Here too are stories about celebrities who died young because of alcohol or drug-related problems -- John Belushi and Elvis Presley among many others -- and of the tragic 1998 murder of comedian Phil Hartman. Car wrecks, plane crashes and other deadly accidents sent Jayne Mansfield, Grace Kelly and Carole Lombard, to untimely deaths, and accidents occurring during film production have taken several lives, perhaps the most dramatic being the helicopter crash that killed Vic Morrow in 1983. A team of eight writers (mostly Australian, all film historians of various sorts) compiled this addictively readable anthology of more than 250 Hollywood obituaries. Most entries are a single page; all include photos of the artist in iconic roles or poses. The accounts are arranged alphabetically in separate sections for different causes of death (medical problems, suspected foul play, actual murder, alcohol or other drugs, suicide after broken heart, bizarre accidents).