This is my pick for the finest DVD collection of the year. American Experience’s biographies of U.S. presidents are engrossing, definitive, illuminating and often surprising. You’ll learn more history in the shortest period of time by watching these shows than virtually anything else you can do. It’s the perfect gift for both the history buff and the political junkie, as well as for those who want to better understand the American present and how it has developed. That didn’t mean to sound stuffy either. These documentaries are seriously addicting, filled with stories that grab you more than the latest prime time soap, while being healthy brain food at the same time.

AMAZON

—Sarah Zupko

“How do you like your murder? Well done, served with proper silverware and linen? Or rather on the rare side, and you’ll use the tail of your shirt to wipe your mouth? Depends upon your mood, does it?  Well then, for the evening you’re inclined toward a sip of the sherry, partake of any of the 19 discs of polite, proper mysteries adapted from the novels of Caroline Graham, enjoy sips of “evil lurking beyond the well-trimmed hedges of Midsomer”, but be careful, lest you get rattled and spill. We’re not that polite, here.  Rather perverse at times, in fact.

Fans of Law & Order will sink their teeth into the equally gritty Trial & Retribution: Set 1 (perhaps best washed down with a throat-searing scotch). They’ll already know Prime Suspect (same creator, similar gritty approach), and crave the depravity, moral ambiguity, and simply very bad, anti-social behavior on display from crime to conviction, here. It’s all rather lip-smacking, delicious stuff.”

Trial and Retribution Set 1

Midsomer Murders - The Early Cases Collection

—Karen Zarker

What more can be said about a stellar product that sells itself? A little bit more enthusiasm won’t hurt. High-quality sound and video? Check. Excellent concert footage? Check. In this third in the series set: Sonny Rollins, Cannonball Adderlley, Bill Evans, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Lionel Hampton and Oscar Peterson. Bonus disc: performances by Nina Simone, Sonny Rollins and Rahsaan Roland Kirk. If the jazz fan in your household does not already have Series 1 and 2 of this fine collection, then really make her happy and buy her all three sets. They will stay with her as long as she draws breath.

AMAZON)

—Karen Zarker

In a league of his own, the most popular of the blood hounds is inarguably the petit Belgian brainbox Hercule Poirot, master sleuth of Agatha Christie’s sophisticated and ingeniously plotted whodunit novels; and the only fictional character ever to have been granted an obituary on the front cover of The New York Times. He is generally pitted against a superior class of criminal which at least has the decency to provide a bit of a challenge.  So, to, will this box set provide a bit of a challenge—and a measure of satisfaction—for the one in your life who is obsessed with fictional renditions of murder most foul.

AMAZON

—Emma Simmonds

The word “classic” was invented for movies like Casablanca. Here’s a film so iconic, it’s mere mention evokes a time, place and mood. Warner has re-released the Humphrey Bogart/Ingrid Bergman war-time romance in deluxe fashion on two discs with documentaries on the film and Bogart. There’s also a bonus disc, “Jack Warner: The Last Mogul”. The film buff will also score a 48-page book and 10 movie poster cards with this set. To fill out this massive package, Warner included the first episode of the Casablanca TV series as well as numerous outtakes and features for your computer. It’s the perfect gift for the fan of “classic” Hollywood cinema.

Casablanca (Ultimate Collector’s Edition) [Blu-ray]
Casablanca (Ultimate Collector’s Edition)

—Sarah Zupko

Speaking of the other Mystery Science staffers, head writer Mike Nelson did some solo work for Legend Films before settling in with old castmates Kevin Murphy and Bill Corbett to create this online series of audio-only commentaries. Without having to pony up the exaggerated rights fees to take on their titles, the Traxers have spoofed Star Wars, The Matrix, and even Iron Man. This DVD collects a few of their short subject efforts (films included), which clearly represents some of their best work. As an added bonus, the boys are given unique 3D personas for the final entry “Shake Hands with Danger”.

RIFFTRAX

—Bill Gibron