Bringing Hollywood home for the holidays
By Dave Workman The Movie Nut

Hollywood Holidays

For the last few years, I've been touting "boxed set" DVD releases as perfect stocking stuffers. However, given the price of some newer releases- such as "The Sopranos" Collector's Set at $600- one might serve admirably as a major holiday gift. For the movie fanatic, there are worse treasures to find under the tree. The following suggestions for the movie nut in your life should do nicely.

For just about everyone: The best DVD set of the year, perhaps of the decade, is the stunning, phenomenal Emmy Award-winning, BBC-produced "Planet Earth" (2007). This eight-disc, 11-episode boxed set was five years in the making. Filmed in 62 countries, "Planet Earth" is an extraordinary documentary. The series is suitable for families, although a few animalsinperil scenes may be disturbing for younger children. About $80, but look for holiday specials.

For strict B&W traditionalists: Even with 100-plus cable channels, it's still hard to find many of the classic movies. Sure, you can regularly catch "Casablanca" or "North by Northwest" on cable (and yes, one should), but when was the last time you saw Gregory Peck in "Mirage"? Or Carole Lombard in "My Man Godfrey"? Or "The Admirable Crichton"?

Thankfully, we can revisit those gay (y'know, happy), martiniswigging, carefree '30s with "The Complete Thin Man Collection." Nick and Nora (Dick Powell, Myrna Loy) were the ultimate "it" couple, solving murders and staying oh-so-vogue. The seven-disc set is about $60.

The recently released "Film Noir Classic Collection" (Vol 4) includes "They Live by Night," "Decoy" and "The Big Steal." Ten classic flicks (on five double-sided discs) for suspense connoisseurs. Or start with the 2004released Volume 1, which includes "The Asphalt Jungle," "Murder My Sweet" and "Out of the Past." Both under $50.

For the arthouse junkie: Earlier this year, Criterion released a four-DVD boxed collector set of Ingmar Bergman's most accessible works. So settle down with a nice '61 Cab, a fuzzy old lap cat, your favorite silk ascot and watch Bergman's "The Seventh Seal" (1957), "Wild Strawberries" (1957), "Smiles of a Summer Night" (1955), "The Virgin Spring (1960)." Under $100 at www.criterion.com.

Best arthouse single disc selection: From Zeitgeist Films, "Manufactured Landscapes" is an award-winning documentary on the work of renowned artist Edward Burtynsky, who travels through China photographing the results of that country's industrial revolution. Spellbinding. At www.zeitgeistfilms.com, under $25.

For the war historian: Ken Burns and Lynn Novick's factual, fascinating PBS documentary "The War" (2007) explores both the history and horror of World War II. This epic sixdisc historic biography focuses on typical U.S. citizens caught up in the maelstrom of perhaps the most pivotal event of the 20th century. Includes a commentary track and special bonus features. Available from local outlets and www.pbs.com for under $120. If you loved HBO's "Band of Brothers" (2005), this set is the ideal companion piece.

For those damn Yankees (and sports) fans: Arguably the best baseball team in history (sorry, Mom from Massachusetts), "Yankeeography" is a 12disc, 40hourplus series providing an indepth look at NY's finest, highlighting the 1927, 1961, 1977, 1978, and 1998 pennants. Including in-depth biographical profiles of Ruth, DiMaggio, Mantle and dozens of others, this set is baseball. Under $100.

For the ohsogracefully aging rock-'n'-roller: Martin Scorsese's intelligent, fascinating three-hour-plus PBS documentary on folk icon Bob Dylan is now available on DVD. "Bob Dylan- No Direction Home" (2005) includes reflections by Dylan and a host of well-know names in the arts. Fascinating. The box set also includes the CD soundtrack, a twodisc, 28track, chronologically arranged Dylan retrospective. Under $50.

Also, the Beatles second film, "Help" (1965), was rereleased on DVD earlier this year. Together with last year's digital release of "A Hard Day's Night" (1964), these two classics provide the quintessential time warp to rock and roll's arguably greatest group. The deluxe boxed set also includes a reproduction of Richard Lester's original annotated script and a 60page book with rare photographs and production notes. Under $50.

For the theoretical physicist in your closet: Think things are what they seem? Think science knows all the answers? For a truly provocative look at the reality of reality, I suggest Nassim Haramein's four-disc "Crossing the Event Horizon," a sometimes mind-boggling look at our past, present and future. The physicist explains well-researched theories while exploring the geometry of spacetime. Spellbinding for the transcendental type. Available at www.CrossingTheEventHorizon.com, under $70.

Best bets for the TV-phile: Both current and classic series have been in vogue these last few years. Hot series like "House," "Heroes" and even the complete "X-Files" can be readily found. Of course you can buy every "I Love Lucy" or "Gilligan's Island" episode ever filmed (for under $200) as well. Hot new DVD sets include:

•Relationship lovers: "The Gilmore Girls Complete Collection." Single mom Lorelai Vicoria and single daughter, Lorelai Leigh, confronted family, friendship and social issues for seven years (200007). Already becoming a cult phenom of the "My So-Called Life" magnitude, all 154 episodes are available, plus lots of bonus extras, on a 42-disc set. About $250.

•Sci-Fi-natics: "Firefly," a cult 2002 series of galactic civil war and space-age gun-slinging, ended way too prematurely (for fans), after a oneyear run. So the producers concocted "Serenity" (2005), a major two-hour motion picture, to tidy things up. That film has actually overthrown "Star Wars" as the No. 1 sci-fi event on many critics' Top 10 lists, although watching it without knowing the series is inadvisable. The deluxe collector's edition features both series and fablecapping feature film. Under $75.

•Lynch fiends: The definitive 10-disc Gold Box Edition of "Twin Peaks" was introduced earlier this year, including lots of extras and a discussion with creator David Lynch. Provocative, intelligent and occasionally just weird, some people still haven't stopped talking about this show, which debuted in 1990- and now you can find out why. Under $80.

•Uultimate geekster: For seven years, beginning in the mid'80s, "McGyver" gave geekiness an action-packed, weapons-disdainful super hero who could save the world with a paper clip and some Kleenex. Using brains instead of brawn, the series gave birth to the notion that a body count wasn't always necessary for a successful TV action series. The Ultimate "McGyver" Gift Set is available (38 discs) for under $200.

•Desperate housewives: You can find seasons one and two of "Desperate Housewives" available (13 discs)- and you may be able to find all three seasons before the holidays. Seasons one and two come boxed with extras, including deleted scenes and bloopers, extended episodes and audio commentaries. Under $120, or as low as $90 if you look hard.

Best individual DVDs released this year:

•For children: "Ratatouille" and "The Last Mimsy." Or snatch up last year's underrated "Flushed Away." Magnificently goofy.

•For movie lovers: "Waitress," "Once" and "Stranger Than Fiction." Three of the year's best films.