DVD and Box Set Gift Guide 2012!

By Stacie Hougland

'Tis the season to give the gift of movies, and this year there is a veritable mother lode of newly released collections. From monster movies and creepy classics to wizarding wizards and James Bond, box sets like these will make great gifts for friends and family--or maybe even under your own tree.

Bond 50

Can you believe it's been five decades since Sean Connery gave us the most famous introduction in movie history? Now all 22 official films are on Blu-ray, 9 of them brand-new to the format, each with its own bonus features. The set comes in a gorgeous slipcase, inside which are two glossy books (1962-81 and 1983-2012) with two movies per page and an empty sleeve in which to put Skyfall.
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Harry Potter Wizard’s Collection

The granddaddy of all this year's box sets is this limited-edition gift box containing all 8 films, 37 hours of bonus features (5 hours are new), a blueprint poster of Hogwarts castle, production sketch prints, concept art prints and framing-quality fabric map of Hogwarts and surrounds, Horcrux locket and certificate of authenticity. It's on the pricey side, but makes the ultimate gift for Potter fans.
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Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection

This brand-new set of 15 of the director's films, 13 of which debut on Blu-ray, offers a chunk of the director's best and most famous work -- Vertigo, Psycho, North by Northwest, Rear Window plus lesser known films; 58-page book of storyboards, correspondence, costume designs, photos and more; plus15 hours of extras and commentary.
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Tarantino XX: 8-Film Collection

Five hours of brand-new bonus material including a critics' retrospective and cast/crew interviews highlights this cool collection, which contains Reservoir Dogs, True Romance, Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown, Kill Bill Vol. 1, Kill Bill Vol. 2, Death Proof and Inglourious Basterds. It's all housed in an even cooler box illustrated by the artists at Mondo.
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Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection

In celebration of its 100th anniversary, it is appropos that Uni released this collection of eight horror classics for the first time on Blu-ray (of note: a newly restored 3D version of Creature from the Black Lagoon that is excellent, as well as a doc on the Dracula restoration).
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Casablanca 70th Anniversary Limited Collector's Edition

Warner's release presents the restored film in stunning 4k and DTS-HD Master Audio Mono (1.0) track along with all new bonus features, Lauren Bacall introduction, full-size reproduction of the original 1942 film poster, 62-page production art book of never-before-seen photos, personal memos, and archival documents about the production, and four collectible drink coasters.
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Cinderella: Six-Disc Diamond Edition Ltd. Jewelry Box

Disney's enchanting classic gets showcased in this neat jewelry box the princess in your life will love. The Diamond Edition sparkles in a cute jewelry box with three versions of the movie plus digital copy on six discs, and picture storybook.
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Singin' in the Rain 60th Anniversary Ultimate Collector's Edition

This Old Hollywood classic marks its 60th anniversary with this spectacular 3-disc Blu-ray and DVD combo pack. In addition to both versions of the film, a 48-page hardcover booklet including never-before-seen production memos and photos, theatrical posters, and a full-size commemorative umbrella you can use to sing in the rain yourself.
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Blade Runner 30th Anniversary Collector’s Edition

Ridley Scott's seminal sci-fi film is out now in a new 4-disc BD/DVD combo pack that includes The Final Cut as well as the 1992 director's cut and original theatrical versions. It boasts a 72-page collectible book, mini Spinner car replica, lenticular cover and 1,000 archival images--a must-own for the sci-fi lover in your life.
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The Universe in 3D

Explore the planets of our solar system and their epic catastrophes over time in this awe-inspiring multi-dimensional tour of the universe that looks at Mars' barren wastelands, the disaster that turned Venus from pleasant to miserable, what massive disturbance caused the giant planets' orbits to realign, and the reason for Saturn's rings.
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The Avengers BD/3D/DVD Combo Pack

The only standalone release on our list (and deservedly so), this juggernaut looks fabulous in 3D for those of you with the equipment at home--and if not, it still looks fabulous. Plus, there's a quote from our own editor-in-chief Chuck Walton on the cover, making it a must-own.
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Watchmen Collector's Edition

Instead of the 186-minute Director's Cut, the Ultimate Cut included here incorporates the Tales of the Black Freighter animated story into the movie, making it 215 minutes and the most complete version to date. There's a disc of features, the theatrical cut on DVD, collectible lenticular and the first DC Comics hardcover edition of the graphic novel -- the only way you can get hold of it.
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The Dark Knight Trilogy

This first set combining all three films in the Nolan Bat-verse includes all the special features found on the individual releases as well as a 64-page version of the book The Art and Making of The Dark Knight Trilogy.
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Francis Ford Coppola 5-Film Collection

This Blu-ray set includes two of Coppola's films available for the first time ever in high-def: The Conversation and One From the Heart, as well as Apocalypse Now, Apocalypse Now Redux (re-edited and re-mastered with 49 minutes of extra footage) and the limited release Tetro.
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Universal 100th Anniversary Collection

All year, Universal has been celebrating its 100th anniversary with special standalone releases of notable films. This features 25 iconic films (among them, American Graffiti, The Sting, Jaws and Back to the Future) in one collectible set available on Blu-ray or DVD that includes a 72-page book, 15-track music CD and bonus disc of features.
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