The Film Yap's Holiday Gift Guide for the Cinephile, Part 1

Ah, yes, the Yuletide season is once more upon us. You know what that means — stress on your bank account, stress on you, stress on your family. And standing in line while the sweaty guy in front of you who smells like cheese and sauerkraut paws all over your item, hoping he doesn't take the last one before you get a chance to grab it.

Well, The Film Yap is here to ease your Yuletide burdens for the movie lovers in your life. Any one of these items will make your cinephile squeal like a 'tween during a "Twilight" movie. Here you'll find the must-haves for your movie maven, things they're dying for or maybe, just maybe, something they don't even know about.

So how can you repay us for this invaluable service? I'm glad you asked: Each item is linked to a location where you can find and purchase these items, and by clicking through and purchasing, and in making your cinephile's Christmas bright, you're helping The Yap do the same!

12 Angry Men: Criterion Collection Blu-ray

A Top 10 film of all time. If you haven't seen this movie, you can't call yourself a movie buff; you just don't qualify. The very definition of the term "timeless classic," "Men" is the quintessential American film, perpetuating our country's values like no other. An absolutely scintillating drama that takes place, save for one scene at the film's conclusion, entirely in one sweaty room, with a group of jurors haggling over the fate of a young man accused of murdering his father. Issues of race and class emerge, as do the notions of justice, civic duty, conscience and just plain doing what's right for your fellow man.

Of course, Criterion is the filet mignon of home video, so you'll pay for it. But your movie lover will love you all the more for your sacrifice, and you will be a Yuletide Hero.

Evil Dead 2: 25th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray

Sam Raimi's cult classic is another must-see for horror and comedy fans alike. This is an easy pick and a solid double for your movie lover, who might have this on DVD but needs to upgrade.

Movie-themed T-shirts

$20, Busted Tees.com

BustedTees Holiday Gift Guide - Put An End To Crappy Gifts

It's perhaps the truest test of a movie buff for the geek who recognizes a T-shirt emblazoned with an obscure reference to a movie. If you see a "Jack Rabbit Slims" T-shirt and smile or go giddy when you spot an "Omni Consumer Products" sweatshirt, Busted Tees is for you. Busted Tees has some of the best of the bunch, from this shirt equating Google with SkyNet to dozens of other references from popular movies and TV shows.

Star Wars: The Complete Saga Blu-ray

<sigh>Yes, the "Star Wars" saga is arguably the series to have of any movies, and far be it from The Yap to tell you not to buy. But this set should be subtitled "The Further Pillaging of the Holy Trilogy and its Three Crappy Prequels by George Lucas." Yes, we get even more "NOOOOO!," more Greedo shot first, more Hayden Christiansen's ghost and even more tweaks, adds and ruins from The Beard himself. But somehow we "Star Wars" fans can't help ourselves and just continue to clutch at every new edition of our beloved franchise. It's like being married to a woman addicted to plastic surgery: At some point, you realize she looks completely different than you remember her, but there's little you can do but sit there and watch. Over and over and over again. And cry. And show your kids. And tell them about how great "Star Wars" used to be. Then realize you're just like your parents ... and cry again. But do your movie lover a favor: Pick this set up for them, so they don't have the guilt of buying it theirselves.

The Making of The Empire Strikes Back

A wonderfully detailed look into the making of the best film in the "Star Wars" trilogy, "Making of" is a fascinating read from inside George Lucas' inner circle. Crammed full of spectacular art, behind-the-scenes pictures and a host of "Star Wars" artifacts that make them feel all nostalgic for "Empire" again. Oh yeah, it's also crammed full of the fascinating story of the making of the film. This is one of those books that, even after reading it cover to cover, your movie lover will pull out a couple of times a month and flip through and invite people over just to show them. It's the essential piece they didn't know they needed.

The Art of Pixar

A look back at 25 years worth of the greatest animated movies in cinema history. (That's right, I said it). Stunning, beautiful art with the scripts for each film to date (up through last summer's "Cars 2"), this tome is a treasure.

Great Northern Popcorn Red Foundation Antique Style Popcorn Popper Machine with 8 Oz Kettle

Any movie is better than popcorn, and no movie room worth its salt can say it's fully decked out without an awesome old-timey popcorn maker like this. With an eight-ounce kettle, you'll have enough popcorn left over for all of your friends, and you'll be able to make a little money, too, especially if you charge what the theaters do.

The Alien Anthology (Blu-ray)

A franchise with two films that are legit classics ("Alien" and "Aliens"), one that's better than you remember ("Alien 3") and one that has a couple of moments but is overall a flop ("Alien Resurrection"), this is one of the better anthology sets you can pick up. Why? The extras. Outstanding and honest, the set openly discusses the failures of the last two films and includes a frank discussion of David Fincher's original vision for "Alien 3" talking about his involvement and the film's failures. Also, interesting tidbit: "Alien 3" originally was going to take place on a planet made entirely of wood that housed a colony of monks. Since this set has already been out for a year, you can get it for a song.

Back to the Future Trilogy (Blu-ray)

This, along with the "Alien" set, is the must-own Blu-ray box set of the past year. It's a trilogy with few weaknesses (yes, the second and third films are increasingly cartoony, but are still dynamite family entertainment). As with its "Alien" cousin, though, this set is made with its extras and there are some awesome ones here, too. Tops among them is a multi-part look at the making of the films, with highlights being storyboards from the first film's original ending, and Steven Spielberg's story about how he convinced the head of Universal Studios to not title the film "Spaceman from Mars."