DVDs that will please
A lot of this season's DVD packages make great stocking stuffers — but you'll need really big stockings. Whether it's presenting an entire TV series ("Friends"), celebrating a movie franchise ("Superman"), digging into cartoon archives (th-th-that's Looney Tunes, folks) or hot new releases, there's something for everyone on your list.
The whole story
"Friends": The Complete Series ($299.98; Warner Bros.) Could it BE any more complete? A lavish repackaging of the entire 236-episode series on 40 disks with a new 60-page commemorative book. All that's missing is a complementary coffee from Central Perk.
"Homicide: Life on the Street" Complete Series Megaset ($299.95; A&E) A no-nonsense, critically acclaimed police drama, "Homicide's" mind-set is captured perfectly in a filing cabinet-shaped box set that contains all seven seasons, along with three crossover "Law & Order" episodes and "Homicide: The Movie."
"Six Feet Under": The Complete Series Gift Set ($279.98; HBO) Death becomes this HBO drama, with all five seasons entombed in a boxed set complete with gravestone and fake grass on top.
"Alias": The Complete Collection ($199.99; Touchstone) Jennifer Garner's super-complex spy thriller will live forever, thanks to encasing the series in a Rambaldi artifact box.
Super, man
Superman Ultimate Collector's Edition ($99.98; Warner Bros.) Even Lex Luthor would be impressed by the scope of this more-powerful-than-a-locomotive set. On 14 disks are all four Christopher Reeve outings, including a four disk-version of 1978's "Superman" loaded with extras, a new Richard Donner cut of 1981's "Superman II," plus the two-disk release of this past summer's "Superman Returns," and loads of new extras.
If that isn't enough red and blue, you can also spring for "Adventures of Superman" ($39.98 each; Warner Bros.) which has all six seasons of the 1950s' George Reeves TV classic in four boxed sets; "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman" ($59.98 each; Warner Bros.) just put out its fourth and final season; and for real completists, there's the Kirk Alyn "Superman: The 1948 & 1950 Theatrical Serials" ($39.98; Warner Bros.).
James Bond Ultimate Edition Vols. 1-4 ($89.98 each; MGM) If there's a guy in your life who doesn't own a James Bond movie (or who's a new Bond man thanks to "Casino Royale"), these boxed sets, with five movies in each set, will shake and stir him.
For the kids
Walt Disney Treasures: "The Mickey Mouse Club Featuring the Hardy Boys" ($32.99) It's no mystery why 1950s kids loved teen sleuths Joe and Frank Hardy: The live-action serial about the famed teen detectives was topnotch television that kept young fans returning every afternoon breathless to find out what happened next. Two disks, with loving introductions from film historian Leonard Maltin.
Looney Tunes Golden Collection Vol. 4 ($64.98; Warner Bros.) Wacky, surreal, hilarious — these classic shorts still make most kiddie shows seem tame and lifeless by comparison. Four disks devoted to Bugs, Speedy Gonzales, cats and director Frank Tashlin.
Size matters
"King Kong" Deluxe Extended Limited Edition ($79.98; Universal) More Kong than you can shake a banana at, including a new Peter Jackson edit that's 13 minutes longer, plus 38 minutes of deleted scenes and even a Kong collectible showing him scaling the Empire State Building.
"The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe" Gift Set ($79.99; Disney) A new extended version of the hit film, three DVDs of extras plus two lavish bookends in the shape of a wardrobe and a streetlight.
Preston Sturges — The Filmmaker Collection ($59.98; Universal) Seven films by the great writer-director, including classics like "The Lady Eve" and "Hail the Conquering Hero."
"Forbidden Planet" Ultimate Collector's Edition ($59.98; Warner Bros.) The enduring 1956 sci-fi tale starring Leslie Nielsen (before he got silly), complete with extras like two spinoff movies starring Robby the Robot, lobby cards, and even a Robby doll. But no copies of Shakespeare's "The Tempest," the reputed inspiration for "Planet."
Quick hits
"Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" Two-Disk Collector's Edition ($34.99; Disney) Learn everything there is to know about Johnny Depp's romp, from the special effects to how the movie's success made Disney reimagine the theme park ride.
"The Devil Wears Prada" ($29.99; Fox) A delicious performance by Meryl Streep that lets even suffering assistants empathize with the Boss From Hell.
"Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" ($28.95; Sony) Will Ferrell's NASCAR racing comedy is so spot-on it makes even product placements seem funny.
Odds and ends
"Saturday Night Live" — The Complete First Season ($69.98; Universal) Perfect for fans of sketch comedy, fans of classic rock 'n' roll or anyone who wants to finally settle the question of whether "SNL" used to be better. (Oh, it was.)
Elvis – The Ed Sullivan Shows ($29.99; Image) All three hip-shaking "Ed Sullivan" shows where the King of Rock 'n' Roll brought a nation to its feet. Extras include home movies, footage of Elvis on movie sets and even one of the first glimpses of daughter Lisa Marie.
"A Star Is Born" ($19.98; Warner Bros.) Barbra Streisand rises and Kris Kristofferson falls in the trashily fun 1976 remake of the classic Hollywood tale. Streisand even dishes the dirt in a commentary track.
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