It’s way too late to even mail order something for your movie-loving loved ones this holiday season. Do you arrive to your holiday gathering empty-handed to the disappointment of all? NEVER!
Please consider the gift options below for any of the movie nerds in your life, which neither require shipping nor a long wait. Nor a trip to a shopping mall, which as you can imagine, might be a life-risking endeavor. You are liable to be trampled, after all…
REPERTORY CINEMA GIFT MEMBERSHIP
Any movie fans in your circle, wherever they may be, likely frequent several repertory cinema houses in their given city. And hey, wouldn’t they like it if you afforded them the opportunity to pay less for that already-inflated movie ticket price? Cinema memberships usually have various levels (with escalating perks), but the main thing is getting a discounted ticket, which is always included in the lowest-priced option. Also, the beauty of gifting a membership is that the membership is activated immediately… It’s all just a matter of shelling out the money online and printing out a confirmation to put into the gift recipient’s card (or you can go nuts and wrap it in a box; it’s up to you). Here are a few geographic options for gift memberships. Perhaps one of these theaters will end up playing a Sonny Chiba triple-feature.
BAM Cinema Club, Brooklyn, NY
Priced from $70
The least expensive option is the $70 “Movie Buff” level, which affords a 40% discount on regular-priced admission (a $12 ticket is now $7), plus the recipient gets priority access to special events, invitations to special members-only screenings, two $5 off discounts for friends, a free gift (when I bought mine, I chose a free ticket voucher), and special discounts at the BAMcafé. For you New Yorkers out there, BAM is a good membership to get, since they play mainstream indies in addition to repertory screenings, so it’s a decent bang for your buck.
Northwest Film Forum, Seattle, WA
Priced from $45
Memberships here include a $4 discount on movie screenings (and additional discounts), half-price rentals of filmmaking equipment and post-production suites, invites to members-only screenings and other events, free popcorn refills (which is pretty awesome), lending privileges from their library, and voting rights at meetings. Pretty impressive, Seattle.
Cinefamily, Los Angeles, CA
Priced from $90 (for three months)
While Cinefamily’s membership is $90 and only for three months, it affords the recipient with FREE admission to screenings, members-only screenings, free popcorn vouchers, and a free poster-of-choice. They also have a great breadth of cool, fresh programming, so it would be a great gift indeed.
Gene Siskel Film Center, Chicago, IL
Priced at $50
Like BAM, this one offers a lot of new indies in addition to repertory screenings, so there is a lot of variety to be had. Also, the membership tickets are discounted to $6, with $5 admission to the spring and fall lecture series, four free popcorns, member pre-sales, no handling fee for online ticket purchases, and much more.
STOCKING STUFFERS (AND ODDS AND ENDS)
Stocking stuffers are great, easy ways to pad up the Christmas gift bounty — you can buy a lot of odds and ends, bundle them together, et voilà, a GIFT BASKET! The possibilities are endless.
Given his giant stocking, Pee-Wee Herman clearly thinks that the smaller gift is nothing to be trifled with.
Django Unchained Comic, Issue #1
Priced at $3.99 (in stores and at ComicOasis.com)
Most movie nerds love them some Tarantino. So, why not get them started on with this series of four comics, inspired by his new film? There are also, of course, many crossover movie/comic book nerds who will get double enjoyment out of this. Yours truly, whose hand and Point Break poster are featured in the photo above, just happened to go to her local comic book store and pick this up as a last minute gift. Call ahead, but most local comic book stores should carry this one.
OPI Nailpolish – The Skyfall Collection
Priced at $8.50
Know a lady who likes James Bond movies? Does she also like to polish her nails? Well, you’re in luck… there’s a Skyfall collection that features twelve colors with “clever” Bond-inspired names, like GoldenEye (gold) and The Spy Who Loved Me (reddish). You should be able to find these at any beauty supply store, like ULTA or Harmon/Face Value (no mall required).
STUFF AT TARGET (Michael Bublé not included)
Are you game enough to hold your breath and make a mad dash through Target the day before Christmas and look for anything movie-related? In addition to a great DVD section, which has a huge $5 section with varying degrees of quality, they have other stuff that is cheap and can translate well into the life of that movie lover you’re buying for. These options are all on the Target website but are also listed as being available in stores for instant gratification and time purposes. If there’s no Target near you, let’s face it, Walmart probably has this stuff too.
West Bend Theatre Style Popcorn Maker
Priced at $79.99
While this is cheesy, it is also kinda cool and would look good in a retro-style kitchen. Real, fattening popcorn tastes good and will scent your friend’s dwelling like the greasy environment of a movie theater. Don’t forget to buy the popcorn too.
Nestable 45-DVD Tower
Priced at $18.59
Do any of your friends need to get organ-iz-zied like Travis Bickle? And do they have a lot of DVDs? This looks like it is from the ’90s and might be able to help them out. Filling it up with DVDs would also be a cool idea, if you have a lot of money and time… But who does these days?
Priced at $5.99
From a logical standpoint, ladies who like The Muppets probably wouldn’t turn away a pair of panties with Sesame Street characters on them, right?
Sesame Street Boxers
Priced at $11.99
That goes for the fellas out there, too!