The Gift Corner

Gifts for Movie Lovers

We've talked a couple times about gifts for everyone who love movies (see Halloween Gifts - Part II and The Gift of Movies.)  And with the holidays just around the corner, we want to give you some ideas that go beyond singles, or box sets of DVDs.

Yes, we love the movies - we love going to the  movies and we love watching them at home.  In fact, we did an informal survey and discovered that most people actually prefer to watch movies in the comfort of their own home.  Understandable - you can kick back in your most comfy chair or sofa, dress however you please, eat whatever you want, drink whatever you want.  But let's face it, in your home, you miss part or the theater experience that lots of people love: fountain drinks, BIG candy, and our favorite - theater popcorn.

So we were delighted to find this Waring popcorn maker.  It can make 4 1/2 cups of popcorn in less than three minutes.  And just like the machines in the theaters, it has a heat lamp to keep the popcorn warm.  And also like the ones in theaters, you get the fun of seeing the corn pop and come flying out of the kettle.  Always entertaining!

 

We found this great vintage looking popper at Sur La Table, and right now it is on special for $99.95.

That's a terrific price for bringing a little theater magic into the home.

And a fantastic gift for all movie lovers!  And those who love to give parties!  And those who have kids!  And those who just love popcorn!

Also at Sur La Table, you can find fun, ceramic popcorn bowls (red and white striped and shaped like the paper containers) and gourmet popcorn gift sets.  The gift sets include the actual corn, an oil spritzer, and three different seasonings.

Now if you really want to go all out on a gift, you can buy one of the freestanding models; but they'll definitely set you back a wee bit more.

We found this Hellman machine at Standard Concession Supply.  Great looking, it stands a full five feet high, and is currently on sale for $294.00.  So if you REALLY love your brother and sis-in-law, and they and the kids are big-time movie buffs, this machine would be a HUGE hit as a Christmas gift.

Just give them fair warning that the number of guests in their home is most likely to double (or triple) once word gets out about the popper.  And please, let them know that you'll be planning on seeing them more frequently too - with bag of popcorn in hand, of course!

The Gift of Entertainment

Movie buffs everywhere are saddened by the passing of legendary actor, Paul Newman.

We've written before about DVDs being a great gift.  Well, check out this website, Movies Unlimited.  They have an entire page devoted to Paul Newman's movies; including collections and special edition releases.

If you have a movie buff in your life, we guarantee they will appreciate the gift of a Paul Newman movie.

Happy viewing - and Paul, we will miss you!

Gifts From the PBS Shop

We've had a couple of recent posts on giving DVDs and CDs; but realized this weekend that we neglected to mention one of the best specialized sources around for these gifts: PBS Home Video, available at: www.shopPBS.org

We love PBS: from all the great British mysteries and dramas, to beautiful travelogues, to great concerts, science shows and history programs.  PBS really does cover the spectrum for great entertainment.  And even better, every purchase helps support PBS programming.

Just imagine, in one fell swoop you can buy a Sense & Sensibility video for your Jane Austen loving sister- in-law, Rudyard Kipling's My Boy Jack for your brother, a 12 disc collection of Agatha Christie's Poirot for your mystery loving father, and a Sheryl Crow Live video for your best friend!   Sounds like a lot of Christmas gifts just got ticked off the list!

There are even a couple of brand new releases that would be of particular interest to lots of folks right now: DVDs on both Barak Obama and John McCain.  So you can get your politics fix too.

Be sure and check out shopPBS.org - great gifts, great entertainment, and a great cause!

Gifts: Movies, Music - Always A Good Thing!

Uh oh, we opened up the flood gates with yesterday's post on giving DVDs to movie loving friends and family.  Eveyone has their own favorites, and we've heard from about a dozen folks so far, all telling us their faves - and why they so love them.

But then Dan told us he loved all Bond movies (so do we) and we should check out a GoldenEye video on YouTube.  We did.

And we couldn't resist posting the video.  We love Bond - AND we ADORE Tina Turner. Oh yeah, a Golden Eye DVD - and a Tina Turner CD.  There's a gift to rock the house!  (No pun intended)

And for a huge selection of CDs online (besides Amazon, of course) try CD Universe.

The Gift of Movies

Gifts - for movie lovers it's SO easy to get them something they'll love.  Everyone has a favorite movie - whether it be a recognized "classic," or just a film that knocks them out every time they see it - no matter how many times they've seen it.  And before you say, "But if it's their favorite, they'll  already have the DVD," not so fast.

We did a little informal survey, and discovered that the majority of folks who consider themselves "film devotees" don't have copies of their favorites.  Various reasons: they have satellite and just have never bothered to buy the movies.  Or they rent, and while they enjoy doing it that way; all said they wish they did have their own copies, so they could watch whenever they felt like it.

So many movies - so little time.  And undoubtedly you've already guessed, one of our all-time favorites - ultimate film noir with one of the most haunting musical scores ever - is the beautiful (and disturbing) Chinatown. So (little hint) if any of our dear friends are reading this...

A great online source to buy DVDs: besides Amazon, is DVD Empire.