White Christmas: Anniversary Edition

Director: Michael Curtiz

Cast: Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Vera-Ellen, Dean Jagger, Mary Wickes

(Paramount; US DVD: 3 Nov 2009; UK DVD: 3 Nov 2009)

 Amazon

It's A Wonderful Life: 2 Disc Collector's Set

Director: Frank Capra

Cast: Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Henry Travers

(Liberty Films; US DVD: 3 Nov 2009; UK DVD: 3 Nov 2009)

 Amazon

Holiday films earn their place as categorical ‘classics’ in a couple of significant ways. The first is in the standard language of film itself. They’re funny or sweet, dramatic or creatively compelling, outside of the need to express a certain seasonal sentiment. Naturally, the next element in play is the found festive value. Either a movie encompasses what you feel about Easter, or Halloween, or Christmas, or it misses the emotional benchmark by miles.

And then there are those titles that transcend both, to combine solid (if now sketchy) cinematic value with precise focused celebratory fellowship to make all other offerings pale in comparison. Just in time for Noel 2009, Paramount is putting out a pair of these timeless attempts: White Christmas and It’s a Wonderful Life.

While they’ve been released and re-released any number of times, Paramount’s attention to added content details and final visual polish makes either title a must-own. It’s a Wonderful Life comes in a dimensional box featuring a commemorative tree ornament, as well as a chance at eight free holiday MP3 downloads.

Inside, you will get both the bold monochrome and the unnecessary colorized version of the film, as well as a documentary on its making and a tribute to Capra by his son. White Christmas, on the other hand, is overloaded with bonus features. There is a commentary from the late great Ms. Clooney, a collection of backstage recollections, an overview on each of the main actors involved, and a chance to see the new theatrical version of the film come to life onstage (the live version is currently in previews around the country). As a means of remembering that special someone this gift giving season, either digital package is just perfect.

AMAZON: It’s a Wonderful Life
AMAZON: White Christmas (Anniversary Edition)

—Bill Gibron

Renowned concert photographer Jim Marshall comes out with a legendary archive of musicians since the late 1950s entitled Trust: Photographs of Jim Marshall (October 2009). Totally relentless in his approach by demanding complete access to his subjects, Marshall documented the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, and John Coltrane with candid poignancy that few could ever really emulate. Marshall’s emphasis on ‘trust’ between both himself and these artists makes these images all the more relevant—a body of work that continues to grow into this century with portraits of artists that matter taken when it mattered. Give this gift to anyone who loves photography or music history.

  AMAZON

—Eleanore Catolico

Sometimes art shies away from political change and controversy, and sometimes art can ignite it. This coffee table book showcases the artwork inspired by Barrack Obama’s Campaign for Change. Shepard Fairey, the street artist who painted the now infamous “Obama Hope Stencil” (2008) edited this collection along with Jennifer Gross, of the Manifest Hope project. This book is the perfect gift for any loving-liberal who still tears up at the mention of Obama’s acceptation speech. But it is also perfect for any armchair historian, artist, or propaganda enthusiast too. More than just the beautiful paintings, renderings and sketches of the U.S. President, Art for Obama also illustrates the sheer talent of young American art communities. Soon this book will be a chronicle of nostalgia, for now it’s still quite inspiring of Hope and Change.

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—Katharine Wray

Often discussion about the Clinton administration focus on his balancing of the budget and the economic boom of the 1990s, or on the Lewinsky scandal and impeachment proceedings. It kinda depends which side of the aisle you sit on. However, the work of Richard Sale in this book takes a different look at the foreign policy of Clinton’s eight years in office; an almost non-partisan look. Through covert-ops, diplomacy, (and some might say) sneakiness, the young President placed America in the changing world of foreign affairs. Any history buff, Clinton fan, or know-it-all will enjoy receiving this book. Full of interviews from CIA agents, Joint Chiefs, Special Forces, the NSA and administration insiders, Clinton’s Secret Wars manages to be insightful, educational and riveting all at the same time.

AMAZON

—Katharine Wray

London is a sumptuous limited edition book of revealing and engaging photography of one of the world’s great cities. Taking in the high spots as well as capturing the pulse of life in the metropolis, this is what the coffee table was designed for. Bryant’s photography captures the full range of life and expression in this iconic city: from the quiet lanes, private gardens and architectural detail of beautiful old buildings to industrial zones, marketplaces, pubs, galleries, parks and the tube. It’s an illuminating and stunning look at the grand old city. As an extra bonus, this book is a limited to an edition of 5,000 and comes with a numbered photographic print of Tower Bridge signed by the photographer.

AMAZON

—Sarah Zupko

Part travel literature, part cultural criticism, part humor chronicle, part graphic art, the reputable Guy Delisle (Pyongyang (2007) and Shenzhen (2006) –- English language versions) has done it again: capturing the entire experience of expat life –- complete with family –- in a region far from home. While his wife works in Pyongyang (formerly Burma) for Doctors Without Borders (her work being the catalyst for his far flung travels), Delisle takes his artful view of everyday life (and the baby, too) for daily strolls into cultural and physical environs far different from his own. His natural curiosity, respect and ease with people transcends difference. Upon return to wherever he’s staying -– often without electricity and other luxuries –- he applies intellectual compassion to the stories conveyed in pictures with words, here and there, as needed. People who like travel writing and cultural reporting will find themselves surprisingly taken by this and all of Delisle’s graphic fiction books, wherein panel after panel conveys a wealth of meaning and provides valid documentation of a time and place.

AMAZON

—Karen Zarker