PART ONE OF THE HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE, COVERING DVDS, BLU-RAYS, ELECTRONICS and GEEK APPAREL!!! PART TWO OF THE HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE, COVERING BOOKS, TOYS and VIDEO GAMES!!!
COLLECTIBLES
CHEAP ($24.99 and Under)
Yeah, that's right.Titanic Icecube makers... Just forget it was a tragedy and revel in how awesome your Diet Coke is going to look now! Only $7.50.
Hallmark is going crazy with geek Christmas Tree ornaments Ornaments. This one is a Superman "1st In Series" Keepsake Ornament. You can actually open the comic book he's flying out of and it's readable. How cool is that? $11.66 plus shipping.
Neeeeerrrrrrddddddd! Okay, that's pretty cool... Another Hallmark Ornament... lights up and stuff... $23.01 plus shipping.
Last one of these Hallmark Ornaments... very cool for anybody within about a half of a generation of me either way. Only $15.00, but the catch is that you have to buy it in a Hallmark store or pay crazy prices online.
MODERATE ($25.00-$70.99)
From Gentle Giant, a little Fertility Idol to hold your pencils and stuff. I'm sure this will find top placement in cubicles around the world. At $35.00, it's very affordable to let your geek hang loose in the office. But you can do one better... one two punch baby... here it comes...
The Ark is a source of unspeakable power and it must be researched! Or at least let it hold our business cards! Don't let top men... Top. Men. Secure this away from your grasp. Okay, I'm done. Another Gentle Giant creation. $40.00.
This is the first of many Noble Collection features. They have some awesome Dark Knight and Indiana Jones stuff out this year, ranging in price from affordable to holy-shit-awesome-cool-but-damn-how-much?!? This is one of the formers. A display of poor ol' Harvey Two-Face's coin and only $29.00. The catch is that it's currently a preorder and will be shipping December 7th.
And the Watchmen merchandising storm is quietly growing in size. This Rorschack bust is great because even if the movie sucks (highly doubt it) it can make an awesome piece of geek furniture, representing a piece from the original graphic novel. You can preorder it for $69.99 and it ships out January 09.
EXPENSIVE ($71.00-$499.99)
Yes, that's a toy, an incredibly amazing figure from Hot Toys. You need to click on this link to take a look at just how many different ways you can display this joker... bank robber mask on, combed hair, messy hair... all the same amazing level of detail. It ships this December and can be had for $174.99. Best looking Dark Knight Joker figure, toy or statue out there.
Hot Toys is also putting out another incredible sculpt of Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Two-Face. It's just as amazing as the Joker piece and also on preorder to ship next month. You can pre-order it from urban-collector for the low-low price of $138.99.
Now this one doesn't see release until May 09, but I have a feeling that this will be sold out by the time May comes around, so if you want it or want to gift it to someone now's the time for a preorder. The Christopher Reeve Superman Statue stands over a foot tall and fills me with nostalgic goodness. $194.99.
This isn't the newest figure on the list, but this import Tom Skerritt Captain Dallas figure kicks a ton of ass. Who would have thought we could ever have gotten the chance to put Captain Dallas from Alien on a shelf? $149.99.
Here's a piece from Sideshow, a nearly 19" tall Mark 1 Armor Tony Stark. The Amazon Exclusive Edition is sold out, but maybe you can find one on eBay... $399.99.
Or you can get the Movie Masterpieces 12" Mark 1 Iron Man for almost half the price, with a sculpt just as good (if not better). $169.99 at bigbadtoystore.com.
Or you can go with the finalized Red and Gold Iron Man Mark 3 Fine Art figure from Kotobukiya. It's a 1/6th scale figure that is out now, so you can get it in time for Christmas! $243.63.
From Robert Downey Jr. to Boris Karloff. You can't get much more iconic than Frankenstein. This is from the good folks at Sideshow, limited to 500 pieces and in stock, so it can be under the tree... just don't put it too close to the fire... is baaaaddd... $274.99.
While my favorite Universal Monster movie would be THE WOLF MAN, my favorite monster is The Creature by far. In execution, in design... The Creature is perfect and Sideshow has a beautiful statue for us gill-lovers. It'll stand 13" tall and be limited to an as yet unannounced number. It's set to ship 1st quarter '09, but you can preorder it now. Very reasonable at $159.99.
This is too cool for school. If you're anywhere around my age, JURASSIC PARK was a landmark experience in the theater and this scene in particular stands out to me as being one of the first that I genuinely thought our heroes were boned and had no idea how they were going to get out of it... I love that Spielberg gave the Rex a hero pose at the end of this scene. Inspired moment and a beautiful piece from Sideshow, limited to 400 pieces. It's currently on a Second Chance offer, which means it's almost gone. So, if you want it, pull the damn trigger already. You can have it in time for Christmas. $249.99.
I was so excited when I saw this Premium Format Raiders of the Lost Ark Indiana Jones figure from Sideshow pop up. So excited, in fact, that I pre-ordered it immediately and it looks like a good thing that I did. It's now sold out, so you're going to have search out eBay or resellers for this awesome Harrison Ford likeness... the idol is magnetized and stays in Indy's hand! Take that, Belloq! Now, Sideshow... get on a kick-ass Mola Ram for me, pretty please! $279.99 if you can find it.
Indy's bullwhip. If you grew up watching Dr. Jones you wanted this more than any other prop... well, maybe we wanted the hoverboard more, but it'd be a close race. Indy's bullwhip is iconic and I was always disappointed when I saw whips at costume stores and stuff and it never looked the same. Well, no more disappointment. $199.00 from the Noble Collection, ships 12/05/08. However... as iconic as Indy's whip is, I think the below Raiders replica might just be a tad cooler...
It'd be bad news if I got this. I'd carry it around with me everywhere and scream "I'm your GODDAMN PARTNER!" at random people while brandishing it like a crazy homeless guy. From the Nobel Collection, it's an exact replica plated with 24k gold, comes in a nice presentation box and ships early next month. $125.00.
If you wanted to become a vigilante, here's the first part to your ensemble. Full size, standing 18" tall and comes with a pedestal to display it. Shipes 12/07/08 and will run you $395.00.
A bit cheaper and I'd say even cooler than the Batman cowl is the Joker's mask from the bank robbery. Again from the Nobel Collection. It's full size, 14" tall and ships 1/30/09. Totally awesome and check out that sweet-ass base. $129.00.
Another piece from Nobel, a display set of replica Dark Knight pieces including Joker's cards, I Believe In Harvey Dent campaign pin, lucky coin and Batarang, all in a 25X14 display case. It ships December 7th and costs $129.00.
Now I got a pair of busts for ya', from Hot Toys, who are putting out those great Bank Robber Joker and Harvey Two-Face 1/6 scale full figures I linked above. First up is Bat-Man. It's a quarter scale, standing nearly 10"tall. Preordering now, shipping on Dec. 17th, running you $80.00.
And then The Joker, same deal as above. Really great likeness, isn't it? $80.00.
Keeping the bust theme going, let's switch gears from The Joker to The Wicked Witch... which old witch? The wicked witch! I don't know which one is scarier, to be honest, but that's pretty rad. Gentle Giant has a few Wizard of Oz busts, standing 16" tall and shipping February of next year. $150.00.
I have big crush on Judy Garland, but I don't think there's ever going to be a place for this on my shelf. However, I do recognize the spectacular job Gentle Giant has done on it. $150.00.
This is my speed, but I don't know what that says about me. This could be the creepiest Freddy statue, maquette, doll, toy, anything I've ever seen, especially when you consider how the character's essentially a kid-toucher/killer. It's a limited edition piece, shipping next month for $150.00.
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww... insert instinctual Wall-E imitations here. Limited edition sculpt, standing around 7" tall and shipping February of next year. $125.00.
I guess this should have been put up next to the Dark Knight Batman Cowl, but that would mean I'm really organized. I don't know how cool I really think that mask is, but the fact that we're about to be bombarded with Watchmen merchandise makes me very, very happy. A bit too pricey for what it is, I think, at $295.00.
See, this is more what I really dig on. It's still really expensive, especially for a statue only 7" tall, but damn is it pretty. It doesn't ship out until March of next year, but you can find it on Amazon for $325.
Buck Rogers Disintegrator Pistol... see, this is why the geeks are doomed if the end of days comes, or the zombies start to invade. Sure, we'll have the edge in terms of knowledge of how the enemy works, but when it comes to practical self-defense, we're left with replica LOTR swords and Buck Rogers pistols... but hey, at least it looks badass and it is made of metal, so we can beat some undead heads in during the zombie uprising. $175.00.
FOR THE SUPER RICH ONLY ($500.00 and Up)
I pulled the winner at random about 10 minutes ago. There were over 1100 entries for this contest, so I'd like to congratulate Mr. James Brown of Auckland, New Zealand for being... well, not one in a million, but at least one in 1100. I'll be emailing Mr. Brown a confirmation email and sending his address on to the folks at Weta who will get him his Martian-made Manmelter!
This is probably the most valuable thing I've given away in the history of this guide. The Manmelter retails for $690.00 plus shipping, but the nice folks at Weta are giving one of you lucky sumbitches this heavy, incredibly detailed handcrafted piece of metal and glass.
You know, the only thing that's fair for this piece is a random lotto. You guys know my history with the real big contests... I'm still owing the Anakin vs. Obi-Wan contest results, so this is the only fair thing. The contest is open to residents of the US, Canada, the Continental Europe and New Zealand. What I need from you guys is an email with a valid non-PO Box mailing address sent to manmelteraicn@yahoo.com, subject line I WANT TO MELT MEN! Only ONE entry per person or you will be disqualified. I will keep that email address online until 11:59pm CST next Monday night, when I will randomly pick the winner. I'll make sure to update this post with the winner's name and country of origin.
Good luck!
MUSIC
CHEAP ($24.99 and Under)
James Brown Funky Christmas, baby. Including Merry Christmas, I Love You and a song I haven't heard, but must... Santa Claus Go Straight To The Ghetto. Remember the hardest working man in show business this holiday season and be 20 times cooler with this Import. 11.98.
This isn't Holiday themed or a new release, but it's appropriate to remember Mr. Isaac Hayes who passed away earlier this year. Put a little more funk into your Holiday season with some respect to the godfather of soul. $10.99 for 3 discs of awesome and $10.99 for his complete Shaft score.
Here is an imported Wall-E soundtrack, featuring the score of Thomas Newman, who knocked it out of the park with this one. It's a beautiful score and this import CD has 36 tracks of his work and only runs 14.95.
Absolutely perfect music to put on in the background this holiday seasons. A Charlie Brown Christmas is a staple in my house, just as the Great Pumpkin is around Halloween time. Get into the spirit in a light jazzy kinda way. $9.97.
MODERATE ($25.00-$70.99)
Yeah, so from the moment I got this set I've had John Williams' music on in heavy rotation, especially the soundtrack to The Temple of Doom, which I absolutely love. Sure, I've neglected the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull score, but then again so did Williams so I don't feel too bad. Is it wrong that I love Kate Capshaw's ANYTHING GOES so much? There are 5 discs that come in this spiffy set, 1 disc for each movie's soundtrack and then one with alternate tracks, unreleased cues and interviews with Spielberg, Williams and Lucas. You also get a cool little booklet. $43.49.
When I added this to the Holiday Gift Guide list about a week ago, they had new copies in stock at $10 each. In that week, they've all disappeared and the cheapest you can get it is $42.98... and that's used. I've never heard this, only of it, but when you have tracks titled "What Can You Get A Wookie For Christmas (When He Already Owns A Comb?)" and "The Odds Against Christmas" we must be talking genius level stuff here, right?
Coming up December 9th, they're releasing a really great looking 2 disc special edition version of Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard's awesome The Dark Knight score. You get 28 tracks of score and a hardbound mini-book for $44.99.
If I were forced to pick the coolest things on this list, this would be damn high on the list. Five discs filled with Hunter Thompson's personal recordings, his thoughts captured as they come tumbling out of his brilliantly demented head. Absolutely fascinating insight into one of America's greatest minds. $43.99
ART
MODERATE ($25.00-$70.99)
Super Obama Print signed by geek supreme artist Alex Ross. This is a limited run of 500 11X14 pieces for only $59.99.
A great series art pieces from the demented Tim Doyle of the Alamo Drafthouse set. 5 12x12 images of the evil fucks that shot off poor Murphy's hand and only $30 for all 5 pieces! Sweet and I guarantee you it's not a typical gift for a movie geek, but one that'd freak 'em out. Plus 12"x12" are easy to frame, so you can make it even extra special! Give the gift of Kurtwood Smith!
Brandon Bird does awesome geek shit, finding the most random, crazy juxtapositions. Like the above piece that he created for the I Am 8-Bit gallery a couple years ago called No One Wants To Play Sega With Harrison Ford... I actually feel sorry for Harrison Ford looking at that image! That particular piece can be had in a limited print run for $70 and is 22x12, signed by Brandon.
Wowie-wow-wow-wow! That piece is called Lazy Sunday Afternoon and is available 13x9 ($20), 19x13 ($45) and 22x15 ($70) at Brandon Bird's site. Each one is a limited printing and is signed by Bird. WALKEN!!! These are just the tip of the iceberg. Hit up Bird's site and explore!
EXPENSIVE ($71.00-$499.99)
This one is a limited edition printing of Sean Clarity's awesome piece that was a part of the Crazy4Cult art show this year. You get a nice 15"X20" print, limited to 100, and signed by the artist. I've seen one of these up close and personal (it will be on my wall soon enough) and it's bootifull. And it won't break the bank either. You can still afford longer-lasting batteries for your bully-blinders. $100.
Here's a print being sold via Sideshow, based on an original piece by Jerry Vanderstelt depicting a collage of Lord of the Rings stuff. It's very, very well done, I think. The print measures 24x30, comes framed and not only signed by Vanderstelt, but also remarqued by him (aka he will draw a unique sketch on the border). $275.
FOR THE SUPER RICH ONLY ($500.00 and Up)
That's a beauty, isn't it? It's a print from a piece done by legendary poster artist John Alvin who passed away this year. He did the art on the original run of ALIENS posters. This depiction of the Alien Queen comes framed, measuring 18.5x18.5 and has Alvin's signature on the print. $599.00.
Now, this final art piece straddles "Expensive" and "For The Super Rich Only." There is an artist named Justin Reed who is starting to get noticed by many in the industry. I know Kevin Smith and Roger Avary have both commissioned him to do original pieces. I was contacted by him when I sent out the call for suggestions for this shopping guide and he thought you guys might be interested in his commissions. So, let me show you some of Justin's art and then show you how reasonable his commission pricing is...
Awesome, right? Be sure to click on any of those and check out all of his work. And click on this link right here to be taken to his commissions page where he outlines his pricing and work. Starting at $300 you can get an original hand-painted work, based on your design and done in collaboration with Reed, measuring 12x26. It's $400 for 14x32, $500 for 16x38, $650 for 18x42, $800 for 20x46, $1000 for 22x50 and $1200 for 24x54.
For the quality of the work and for the sizes he's talking about, that's outstanding pricing. If you're going for a unique gift this year, visit Reed's commissions page and drop him an email. It might not be ready for Christmas, but it's a great idea for birthdays or other celebrations. Nothing more unique than original art, tailor made to suit you and your tastes.
FOR THE SUPER RICH ONLY
Looks like an average keyboard, right? No sir, it's the Optimus Maximus LED Keyboard. Each key is a mini-LED screen that you can program to be anything. A logo, a symbol, pornography... anything. Now, I don't see how the hell that's useful, but goddamn if it doesn't look like a fun toy! And it's only $1589.99.
Battlestar Galactica has passed me by so far. I have the first few seasons on DVD and will definitely hit them soon and finally find out what all the hoopla is about, but this particular item was heavily requested. A life sized Cylon from Sideshow... $7900.00
That is a watch made to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the moonlanding... and it will cost you between $15,000 and $450,000. Why, you may ask yourself? Well, that shit on the watch's face? That's moon dust brought back from the Apollo 11 mission. And the watch itself? The metal casing? It's made from melted down metal fragments of the Apollo 11 itself. The cheaper the watch, the less original moon dust and Apollo 11 fragments it has. Crazy, huh?
Last year I included a "Have Madame Tussaud wax-work artist make a wax you!" in this super-richer window shopping capper. This year, I'm scaling back a bit. The Tussaud thing was crazy expensive... So why not drop $60,000 so Neiman Marcus can make a you out of Legos! Everyone loves Legos, right? Right? See:
Lego people are scary. Nevermind, forget I suggested it.
And the final piece to this guide... How about a chair designed by HR Giger? Sweet, right? He also oversees the construction of the chairs... which look absolutely uncomfortable, but as Billy Crystal (as Fernando) once said... It's not how you feel it's how you look... and if you were sitting in one of these bad boys... you'd look marvelous! If the chair doesn't kill and eat you, that is. You never know with Giger. It'll only set you back a puny $30,000.
Holy, shit. I always say it when I finish up one of these things, but that fucker nearly wiped me out. I slept 3 1/2 hours in the last 50 getting this in ship-shape, and that's after about 20 hours of research and compilation over the last few weeks.
I hope you guys enjoyed the list. I think there are some really awesome things in it this year... Now I think I'm going to go collapse and die... Happy Black Friday deal hunting!
-Quint
quint@aintitcool.com
