ReelBob’s 2019 Holiday Gift Guide

By Bob Bloom

Tick-tock, the clock is winding down. Just a couple of days until Thanksgiving and Black Friday sales.

And before you know it, Christmas and Hanukkah will be here. So, to help you along, here are some gift ideas for the kids, that movie buff in the family or a cinephile friend.

As usual, I will provide the suggested retail price, but wise shoppers know where to find bargains.

CLASSIC MOVIES “Abbott and Costello: The Complete Universal Picture Collection: 80th Anniversary Blu-ray Edition” (Blu-ray) (Shout! Factory, SRP, $124.96) During the early 1940s, the comedy team of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello were kings of the box office, lifting the always financially-struggling Universal Pictures from the threat of bankruptcy, while offering audiences tried-and-true laughs. Abbott and Costello began in vaudeville, and transported many of their most popular routines onto the big screen. This Shout! Select 15-disc set contains the 28 movies the team made at Universal between 1940 and 1955. My favorites in the set include “Buck Privates” (1941), their first starring feature; “Ride ‘Em Cowboy” (1941), which costarred Western favorites Johnny Mack Brown and Dick Foran; “The Time of Their Lives” (1946), a change-of-pace supernatural comedy in which Bud and Lou did not interact as a team; and “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein” (1948), which had them try to help salvage the studio’s declining classic monsters franchise. Abbott and Costello’s popularity began to wane after World War II, and many of their movies became formulaic and repetitious as they began to meet the Invisible Man, the Mummy, the Keystone Cops and Boris Karloff. Still, this set is a boom for comedy fans, spotlighting a pair of comedians with impeccable timing, funny wisecracks and puns and goofy slapstick. The set is loaded with hours of extras, including commentary tracks, a tribute to the pair by Jerry Seinfeld, a look at their Castle Film cutdowns and a booklet about Bud and Lou.

“Universal Horror Collection: Volume 1” (Blu-ray) (Scream Factory, SPR $50.92) This four-disc set is a treat for fans of Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi, as the pair are teamed in a quartet of classic chillers produced between 1934 and 1940. Each film is in glorious black-and-white, with running times ranging from 61 to 79 minutes. The featured titles are “The Black Cat” (1934), with Karloff as the evil Satanist and Lugosi as the doctor seeking revenge; “The Raven” (1935), with Lugosi as a Poe-obsessed surgeon driven mad by the love for a young woman and Karloff as his reluctant pawn; “The Invisible Ray” (1936), stars Karloff as a scientist infected by a meteorite he discovered in Africa, and who seeks retribution on a group of people, including Lugosi, who he believes stole his invention; and “Black Friday” (1940) with Karloff as a scientist whose efforts to save his friend, played by Stanley Ridges, wounded in a gunfight goes disastrously wrong. By this time in his career, Lugosi’s star has faded. He is reduced to playing one of the gangsters who meets his fate when Ridges’ mild professor is transformed into a brutal mob boss. This set features bonus offerings with every movie. It’s a delight that will please any true old-time fan or collector.

“Universal Horror Collection: Volume 2” (Blu-ray) (Scream Factory, $57.96) The titles in this four-disc set are basically horror-mad scientists titles, three of which — released in the early 1940s — basically were programmers that played on double bills. The exception is the eerie “Murders in the Zoo” (1933), which stars Lionel Atwill as a hunter and collector of wild animals who uses the zoo in which they are held to dispose of the men who pay too much attention to his wife. Atwill returns in 1942’s “The Mad Doctor of Market Street” as a marooned and insane scientists, worshipped by the island’s local natives, who use other castaways in strange experiments. He also is featured in “The Strange Case of Dr. Rx” (1942), playing another creepy character. In this outing, Atwill’s title character murders criminals who have escaped justice in the courtroom. George Zucco takes the lead in “The Mad Ghoul” (1943), playing a mad scientist who turns his assistant into a zombie in order to steal his girlfriend. These movies, while not as prestigious as those in the “Volume 1” set, nevertheless provide quick entertainment. The set also features extras.

CONTEMPORARY MOVIES “The Omen Collection: Deluxe Edition (Blu-ray) (Scream Factory, SRP $59.37). The original “Omen” released in 1976 was a shocker. Richard Donner’s movie about the antichrist was a blockbuster that scared filmgoers. This five-disc set includes that movie, its sequels — “Damien: Omen II” (1978), “The Final Conflict” (1981) and “Damien IV: The Awakening” (1991) as well as the 2006 remake of “The Omen.” While none of the sequels or remakes reach the visceral impact of the original, all offer some chills and moments that make you jump. All feature DTS-HD Master audio tracks, which enhance the viewing process. The set also contains extras to abet the experience, including a documentary on the legacy of the franchise, a documentary on the meaning of “666” and how it relates to the films, vintage featurettes, commentary tracks and more. The series carved out its own niche in the supernatural-religious-devil-demon subgenre of films and feature casts, including Gregory Peck, Lee Remick, William Holden and Sam Neill, that make the viewing entertaining.

“Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping: Limited Edition SteelBook” (Blu-ray) (Shout! Factory, SRP $24.96) Former “Saturday Night Live” regular Andy Samberg stars in this rock ‘n’ roll spoof as pop phenom Conner4Reel who, after a meteoric rise, is brought back down to earth when his sophomore album fails and is roundly panned. Conner, facing a major crisis, must decide how to respond and what he can do to re-energize his career, while also dealing with sycophants, fans and rivals. This rock mocumentary never reaches the heights of a “This Is Spinal Tap,” but if offers a bevy of cameos, including Adam Levine, Ringo Starr and Simon Cowell, and a supporting cast that includes Sarah Silverman and former “SNL” alumni Maya Rudolph and Tim Meadows. Plus, there are some nice extras, including a commentary track with Samberg, deleted scenes, a gag reel and music videos. You can add this to any shopping list for fans of rock, “SNL” or comedies.

“Rock ‘n’ Roll High School: 40h Anniversary Limited Steelbook Edition (Blu-ray) (Shout! Factory, SRP $21,99) This cult movie favorite, set at the fictional Vince Lombardi High School, features P.J. Soles as Riff Randell, the school’s hardest rocking rebel. When she begins to buck the new strict principal, Evelyn Togar (the wonderful Mary Woronov), who decides to rule the school as a dictatorship, clashes begin. The movie, directed by Allan Arkush from a story by Arkush and Joe Dante, features Vincent Van Patten, Clint Howard, Paul Bartel, Dick Miller and The Ramones. This is a B-movie that gets straight A’s across the board. It has a devoted following of fans. The Steelbook is filled with extras, including four commentary tracks, and various behind-the-scenes featurettes. It’s a gift that will keep on giving.

“Scarface: The World Is Yours Limited Edition” (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + digital) (Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, SRP $57.22) You can say hello to your little — and big — friends with the reissue set of Oliver Stone’s violent and profane gangster epic starring Al Pacino as Tony Montana, the baddest of the bad. The movie chronicles Montana’s rise from Mariel Harbor Cuban exile to a Miami drug kingpin and his inevitable downfall. The violence is brutal and the language is loaded with “f-bombs” — more than 100 throughout the movie. This set is loaded with extras, including a lovely “The World Is Yours” statue, the TV version of the movie that waters down the language and violence, as well as the original 1932 version starring Paul Muni as Scarface and costarring George Raft and Boris Karloff. Sure, the movie is not for everyone, but fans of Pacino will enjoy his ferocious performance. “Star Trek: Picard Movie & TV Collection) (Blu-ray) (CBS DVD-Paramount Home Entertainment, SRP $23.68) With a new “Star Trek” series featuring the return of Patrick Stewart as Capt. Jean-Luc Picard making its debut early next year on CBS All-Access, this would be a good set to gift that family member or friend who considers him or herself a Trekker. The set features two feature-length episodes from the “Star Trek: The Next Generation” TV series — “The Best of Both Worlds” and “Chain of Command” as well as the four movies released between 1994 and 2002 — “Star Trek: Generations,” “Star Trek: First Contact,” “Star Trek: Insurrection” and “Star Trek” Nemesis.” The six-disc set features bonus materials, including commentary tracks, behind-the-scenes options and a 16-page original comic. So, here’s another opportunity to catch up with past adventures of Picard, Data, Cmdr. Riker, Worf and the rest of the crew of the USS Enterprise.

“To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar” (Blu-ray) (Shout! Select, SRP $24.99) The late Patrick Swayze stars alongside Wesley Snipes and John Leguizamo in this comedy-adventure about a trio of drag queens on a cross-country road trip to a Hollywood beauty pageant. Along the way, they are stranded in the small Midwestern town of Snyderville, where they spend the weekend fixing hearts and minds among the local populace. Fans of the actors will enjoy seeing them all dolled up, and also will enjoy the story about empowerment and inclusion. The movie is not as campy as it sounds, and a fine supporting cast, including Stockard Channing, Blythe Danner, Arliss Howard and Chris Penn, adds to the entertainment. The release features extras, including a making of featurette and deleted scenes.

HOLIDAY “DreamWorks Ultimate Holiday Collection” (Blu-ray) (Universal Studios Home Entertainment, SRP $22.99) Shrek and his pals, the characters and penguins from “Madagascar,” the characters from “How to Train Your Dragon” and “Kung Fu Panda” and other animated DreamWorks favorites all make appearances in this two-disc set that features 10-holiday themed movies that will entertain the kids for hours. These films all were produced between 2009 and 2017. Titles include “Shrek the Halls,” “The Madagascar Penguins: A Christmas Caper,” “Trolls Holiday,” “Merry Madagascar,” “Donkey’s Caroling Christmas-tacular” and “Dragons: Gift of the Night Fury.” There is more, approximately 295 minutes of fun, as well as music videos and a pop-up book to keep the youngsters occupied and entertained.

FOR KIDS “Sesame Street: 50 Years and Counting” (Shout! Kids-Sesame Workshop, SRP $12.96) A two-disc set that is packed with the most beloved moments from this smart and educational series that helps teach and prepare youngsters for dealing with friendships, school, family and whatever else life has in store for them. Big Bird, Snuffleupagus, Kermit, Elmo, Julia and other favorite characters make appearances. And such events as the marriage of Maria and Luis and the passing of Mr. Hooper also are shown. Interactions between children and the Sesame Street Muppets are highlighted. If you have a youngster in the family, this will make a wonderful gift to help get him or her started on the right path. And, to be selfish, it will make a great baby-sitter while you are in the kitchen preparing a holiday meal.

“Spirited Away: Limited Edition Collector’s Set” (Blu-ray) (Shout! Factory-GKids-Studio Ghibli, SRP $34.99) This animated fantasy from Hayao Miyazaki won an Academy Award for best animated feature. It is a classic of Japanese anime, a timeless story of courage and survival. The story centers on young Chihiro whose family is moving to a new house. When they stop to explore an abandoned village, Chihiro’s parents undergo a strange transformation. Chihiro herself is transported into a world of amazing spirits ruled over by the sorceress, Yubaba. Chihiro is put to work in a magical bathhouse for spirits and demons, where she must use all her wits to survive, find a way to free her parents and return to the normal world. This is an imaginative tale that will transfix viewers, and will make a thrilling holiday gift for lovers of anime and animation in general. The set comes with a 40-page book, a CD and other bonus features.

TELEVISION SERIES & SHOWS “Batman Beyond: The Complete Series” (Blu-ray + digital) (Warner Home Entertainment, SRP $69.99) Fans of the Dark Knight will enjoy this six-disc set featuring all 52 episodes of this animated TV series that ran from 1999 to 2001. The futuristic show’s basic premise focuses on Terry McGinnis, a young man filled with rage and seeking revenge after the murder of his father. To exact that vengeance, he steals Bruce Wayne’s high-tech bat-suit and begins prowling the nighttime streets of Gotham City. But soon a higher purpose, including a sense of justice, keeps McGinnis wearing the suit. And under the mentorship of an aging Wayne who no longer can fight crime as well as he used to, McGinnis continues to protect Gotham from evildoers. The series features a new group of villains who challenge the new Batman and his allies. The animation is superb and conveys a futuristic Gotham City that seems, in part, inspired by “Blade Runner.” The set comes with a “Batman Beyond” Funko figure as well as other supplemental options, including “Batman Beyond: The Return of the Joker.” “China Beach: The Complete Series” (DVD) (Time Life, SRP $99.98) This 19-disc set features all 62 episodes of this series set during the Vietnam War that aired from 1988 to 1991. The series, set in a part-EVAC hospital and part USO entertainment center, focuses on the women who served in Vietnam. The cast features Dana Delany, Marg Helgenberger and Concetta Tomei. The theme of the show was “Reflections” by the Supremes, and that is what this series did. It looked back at the war in Vietnam offering perspectives from many sides. This set features 300 classic songs from such artists as Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Joan Baez and Steve Wonder, that were used during the episodes. The extras include commentaries, behind-the-scenes featurettes, interviews with cast members, deleted scenes and a gag reel. Fans of the show will be impressed by this box set and the care given to make the experience memorable. “Deadline” (DVD) (Film Chest Media, SRP $19.98) This three-disc set features 39 episodes of this TV series that aired from 1959 to 1961. The set is subtitles “When Reporters Were Heroes,” recalling a time in our society when journalism was respected, and newspapers were the major source to keep the public informed. Sorry, climbing down from my soapbox. Each week, this series dramatized actual newspaper headlines from the 1950s. The reels of the series were found in a garage in New Jersey and have been restored for public consumption. The series offered early work for such future stars as Peter Falk, Diane Ladd, George Maharis, Simon Oakland, Robert Lansing, Michael Conrad and Telly Savalas. Actor-director Paul Stewart serves as the narrator. The set offers more than 1,000 minutes of ripped-from-the-headlines drama. And it features extras including episode synopses, an overview of journalism past and present and some fun trivia.

“Mystery Science Theater 3000: Season 12: The Gauntlet” (Blu-ray) (Shout! Factory, SRP $42.65) Fans of “MST3K” will enjoy this three-disc set that finds Jonah Heston and bots Tom Servo, Crow and Gypsy sitting through six very cheesy movies — “Mac and Me,” “Lords of the Deep,” “Killer Fish,” “Atlantic Rim,” “The Day Time Ended” and “Ator the Fighting Eagle.” This torture-like experiment was devised by Kinga Forrester. The save their sanity, Jonah and the bots begin riffing on the movies at a very fast pace. During the six, 80-minute episodes in this set, Jonah has a run-in with Reptilicus Metalicus, a surprise visitor breaks into the Gizmonic Institute and a long-lost family member brings some startling news. Meanwhile, Kinga plans a live tour of the planet to torture the rest of us. So, sit back, relax and enjoy. Your sanity is safe, protected by the wisecracks of Jonah and pals. Fans of the series and cheesy sci-fi will find this set irresistible and a great gift idea for the movie nerd who enjoys low-grade fare.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

The following titles will be released by Fox Home Entertainment on Dec. 17, just in time for Christmas and Hanukkah. Prices are still to be determined, but will probably vary depending on where you buy them. “Ad Astra (Blu-ray + digital) (Fox Home Entertainment) Brad Pitt stars in this science-fiction feature about a meditative journey through the solar system. “The Martian” “National Geographic Mars”: Seasons 1 (Blu-ray) (Fox Home Entertainment,) Season 2 (DVD) This series looks at the exploration and settlement as Mars and aiming to make it as accurate as possible. “The Martian” (Blu-ray + digital & DVD) (Fox Home Entertainment)

To complete your Martian experience, this Ridley Scott-directed sci-fi feature starring Matt Damon also is being made available for the holidays.

More titles will be added when the holiday guide is updated shortly before Christmas. Stay tuned!

I am a founding member of the Indiana Film Journalists Association. I review movies, Blu-rays and DVDs for ReelBob (ReelBob.com), The Film Yap and other print and online publications. I can be reached by email at bobbloomjc@gmail.com. You also can follow me on Twitter @ReelBobBloom and on Facebook. My movie reviews also can be found at Rottentomatoes: www.rottentomatoes.com.