Zoomer’s 2014 Holiday DVD Guide

The rise of streaming services like Netflix have made it more difficult to find gifts for film buffs. Difficult – but not impossible. We’ve combed 2014’s best releases to find DVD sets to please fans of screens both silver and small.

Film on DVD – The Top Five

* Gone With the Wind 75th Anniversary: For GWTW fans who missed out on the 70^th anniversary box set, this version includes the film, a documentary, extra footage, and lots of paraphernalia, including a stunning photo book chronicling the film’s style, a music box and a handkerchief. The bad news – we could only find this grand package in Blu-ray. But, as hardcore film fans would say, “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.”

* Grace Kelly Collection: Quite literally Hollywood royalty, Kelly’s set features six of her most loved films, including Mogambo, Dial M for Murder, The Country Girl, and High Society, as well as her last ever television interview.

* Stanley Kubrick: The Masterpiece Collection: Eight of the legendary director’s films form the centerpiece of this set, including classics Dr. Strangelove, 2001: A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange, Barry Lyndon, The Shining and Full Metal Jacket. Other highlights include a photo book, two documentaries, and conversations with acclaimed directors inspired by Kubrick’s work, from Steven Spielberg to Martin Scorsese.

TV on DVD – The Top Five

* The Bob Newhart Show: The Complete Series: One of TV’s most beloved comedians in a classic sitcom that ran for six seasons between 1972 and 1978. This set contains all 142 dry humour-filled episodes, as well as the 1991 anniversary special, the pilot episode, a booklet, bloopers, and a discussion with Bob Newhart from earlier this year.

* Breaking Bad: The Complete Series: One of the most popular TV shows of all time comes to DVD with all of the episodes, a documentary, and a plethora of other goodies including a replica money barrel and an apron from Los Pollos Hermanos.

* Batman: The Complete TV Series: Yes, it’s cheesy, and awkward, and sometimes downright cringe worthy. Still, there’s a campy brilliance to Adam West’s Batman series, and with guest stars like Burgess Meredith, Cesar Romero, and Julie Newmar, you can’t help but love it. The Blu-ray version is an extra $50, but it’s infinitely more impressive, featuring (aside from the TV episodes) tons of extras and bonus features, Batman trading cards, and even a replica Hot Wheels Batmobile from the show. Holy added value Batman!