Each Kwanza, you swing by the movie theater to grab your film fanatic bestie a gift card. It's easy, requires little thought, and sometimes you even get invited to the movies with them. That's a good friend -- them, not you.
The thing is, the film fan in your life would rather you purchase them a ticket to Sundance or Cannes, you cheapskate, or at least pay his monthly Netflix bill for a year.
You can't afford that, so we've helped put together a list of things you can probably afford to get your cinephile-Criterion-obsessed pal this holiday season.
The Pedro Almodóvar Archives
Your David Lynch loving friend who is in a same sex partnership probably also is a fan of Almodóvar, the most fantastically flamboyant Spanish film dude since Dali. Taschen, the cultural coffee table book creators, recently put out a visual masterpiece which includes 600 images and a film strip from 2006's Volver in honor of this genius director. It's a sexy, colorful introduction to foreign film for the aspiring film buff.
Criterion Tote
Your film nerd buds need the perfect container to lug around their copies of The Making of Star Wars: The Emperor Strikes Back, Jurassic Park and Jules et Jim. Thankfully, Criterion has created this sleek looking tote that smugly but subtly says, "I'm better than you. I know film. The End."
Membership to Miami Beach Cinematheque or O Cinema
Your needy friend not only loves to watch movies, but wants to be a part of a community of others with the same interests. Sort of like that scene in the new Muppets movie when Walter first watches the Muppets of old and knows his purpose in life? Anyway, give those in search of belonging the gift of giving by making them members of two of this town's best film spots, Miami Beach Cinemateque and O Cinema. For the more youthful film philanthropist, donate to the Borscht Film Festival as an un-Scrooge-ian gesture.
Johnny Depp in Cry-Baby Tee
You have no heart beating in your chest if you didn't emote for Johnny Depp as Cry-Baby Walker. Maybe the emotion you felt was desire instead of empathy, but hey, you felt something. Luckily, 1stepbeyond's store on Etsy is selling this bad and beautiful bit of garb to please the trash loving teenyboppers in your life.
John Waters' Role Models
Since your young film fanatic is already in love with Johnny Depp in Cry-Baby, you might as well teach him or her about its fantastic director, King of Trash John Waters. In Role Models, he pens a memoir through stories of his idols, a peculiar bunch. Pick one of these hilarious page turners at Books and Books.
Make Your Own Film Poster
You can buy all the fancy film posters in the world for your celluloid obsessed pals, but at Iron Forge Press, you can create your very own strange version of an ET poster and have it printed to your liking. Seriously, like you could have your friend as Elliot and your face on ET's. Just sayin'.
Scenes from The Notebook
Every one of us has a friend who thinks they know movies, but actually is just all about Hollywood's worst. This friend will appreciate 65 film cells from The Notebook. Pick them up on Etsy at MediaWerks.
Gummo Magnets
Gummo was one sick flick. They ate cats. There's nothing a film snob loves more than to talk about movies everyone else hated and they loved. That friend gets this movie magnet set with creepy images from one of the more perverse American films of all time. Buy em off seasandpeas on Etsy.
Horror Scene Thing
We are not entirely certain what this is, but it's funny, right? And it's film related. This huge coaster thing created by GrandmaJoesBrain on Etsy is just the thing for your pack-rat, horror loving friend. They can use it to rest their pipping hot bowl of SpaghettiOs on as they sit down for yet another marathon of Twilight Zone.
More Film Cells, This Time Seasonally Relevant
Who wouldn't want to celebrate the season of giving with Kermit the Frog? This set of 55 film cells from 1992's The Muppet Christmas Carol will remind your inner movie nerd child what the holiday season is all about. Purchase them off of Chuck on Etsy.
Happy Holidays! God bless us, every one!
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