The Best Movie & TV Book Gifts Of 2014
By Peter Sciretta/Nov. 27, 2014 9:00 am EST
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. The Holidays are coming up, and I have compiled /Film’s Ultimate 2014 Film Geek Holiday Gift Guide to help you find gifts for your pop culture-loving friends and loved ones. (Or, maybe even for yourself.)
This guide includes a ton of cool gifts, including a wide range of books, graphic novels, toys, collectibles, music, movies, games, art and other fun gifts, the majority of which were released this year. I’ve also tried to include a wide range of prices, from small stocking stuffers to blu-ray box sets to huge expensive collectibles for most of us to drool over. Everything included in the guide is something I either recommend, have been recommended by trusted friends, colleagues and readers, or something that just looks damn cool.
We’ll be posting the /Film Ultimate Film Geek Holiday Gift Guide 2014 spread over the course of this week as there are too many items for one post — so check back each morning for more. Today we bring you a look at some of the coolest books released this or last year that your pop culture-loving loved ones and friends might enjoy as a gift this Holiday season.
For the most part, I tried to stick to books with strong movie or television tie-ins. I did include some recommended novels that fall outside of those borders. All links go to hard copies (either hardcover or softcover versions) but if you click through you can usually find the option for a digital version if thats the way you want to go. Note: All prices mentioned are rounded to the nearest dollar and were accurate on the week this feature was published.
Check Out The Other Parts of /Film’s Ultimate Film Geek Holiday Gift Guide 2014:
Books and Novels Graphic Novels Collectibles, Toys and Games Blu-rays Movie Art Screenprints Music Wearables Miscellaneous Fun Movie/TV Gifts
The Best Movie & TV Book Gifts Of 2014
By Peter Sciretta/Nov. 27, 2014 9:00 am EST
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. The Holidays are coming up, and I have compiled /Film’s Ultimate 2014 Film Geek Holiday Gift Guide to help you find gifts for your pop culture-loving friends and loved ones. (Or, maybe even for yourself.)
This guide includes a ton of cool gifts, including a wide range of books, graphic novels, toys, collectibles, music, movies, games, art and other fun gifts, the majority of which were released this year. I’ve also tried to include a wide range of prices, from small stocking stuffers to blu-ray box sets to huge expensive collectibles for most of us to drool over. Everything included in the guide is something I either recommend, have been recommended by trusted friends, colleagues and readers, or something that just looks damn cool.
We’ll be posting the /Film Ultimate Film Geek Holiday Gift Guide 2014 spread over the course of this week as there are too many items for one post — so check back each morning for more. Today we bring you a look at some of the coolest books released this or last year that your pop culture-loving loved ones and friends might enjoy as a gift this Holiday season.
For the most part, I tried to stick to books with strong movie or television tie-ins. I did include some recommended novels that fall outside of those borders. All links go to hard copies (either hardcover or softcover versions) but if you click through you can usually find the option for a digital version if thats the way you want to go. Note: All prices mentioned are rounded to the nearest dollar and were accurate on the week this feature was published.
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
We’ll be posting the /Film Ultimate Film Geek Holiday Gift Guide 2014 spread over the course of this week as there are too many items for one post — so check back each morning for more. Today we bring you a look at some of the coolest books released this or last year that your pop culture-loving loved ones and friends might enjoy as a gift this Holiday season.
This guide includes a ton of cool gifts, including a wide range of books, graphic novels, toys, collectibles, music, movies, games, art and other fun gifts, the majority of which were released this year. I’ve also tried to include a wide range of prices, from small stocking stuffers to blu-ray box sets to huge expensive collectibles for most of us to drool over. Everything included in the guide is something I either recommend, have been recommended by trusted friends, colleagues and readers, or something that just looks damn cool.
For the most part, I tried to stick to books with strong movie or television tie-ins. I did include some recommended novels that fall outside of those borders. All links go to hard copies (either hardcover or softcover versions) but if you click through you can usually find the option for a digital version if thats the way you want to go.
Note: All prices mentioned are rounded to the nearest dollar and were accurate on the week this feature was published.
Books
Alien the Archive: The Ultimate Guide to the Classic Movies $33: This 320-page book “is a beautiful celebration of these landmark films, delving deep into the process of how all four films were created.”
You can preview the book in this YouTube video.
Back to the Future Almanac 1985-2015 $60: The Back to the Future Almanac 1985-2015 is the official Back to the Future collector’s guide. It chronicles all Back to the Future merchandise from the trilogy, BTTF: The Ride, the Animated Series, the comics and more. And you have to love cover artwork which is a homage to the Gray’s Sports Almanac prop from Back to the Future Part II.
Movies R Fun!: A Collection of Cinematic Classics for the Pre-(Film) School Cinephile $4: Josh Cooley, story supervisor at Pixar Animation Studios, illustrated this 48 page Golden Book parody which illustrates inappropriate scenes from contemporary classic films in early-readers style:
How Star Wars Conquered the Universe: The Past, Present, and Future of a Multibillion Dollar Franchise $19: I have not read this book yet, but everyone says its the most well-researched independent retelling of the making of the films and the evolution of the Star Wars brand.
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy: The Art of the Movie $38: Its no wonder why Marvel Studio’s “Art Of” books are always fantastic — the movie studio was birthed from a company that produced nothing but art.
What I Love About Movies: An Illustrated Compendium $24: The illustrations in this book are gorgeous and each is based on the resulting answers from the top filmmakers and actors on what they love about movies:
Marvel’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier: The Art of the Movie Slipcase $35: Again, Marvel Studios’ art of the films books are filled with beautiful concept art and designs and Winter Soldier is no different.
The Art of Big Hero 6 $29: With Big Hero 6, not only did Disney Animation need to create the characters and super-powered technology seen in the film, but also the entire world of the San Francisco/Tokyo mash-up San Fransokyo.
You can preview the book on YouTube.
William Shakespeare’s Star Wars Trilogy: The Royal Imperial Boxed Set $27: Sure, these books are kind of a one note joke stretched way too far, but they look great and I just love the old english illustrated adaptations of the original series films. The Royal Imperial Boxed Set includes all of the original trilogy adaptations: Verily, A New Hope; The Empire Striketh Back; and The Jedi Doth Return.
The Art of John Alvin $22: Alvin is one of the greatest movie poster artists of our time, and this book collects all of his one-sheets and even shares some unused concepts for classic blockbusters. (We featured some of the unused Jurassic Park concepts on the site.)
The Art of How to Train Your Dragon 2 $25: This movie was beautiful and the concept art that helped guide the final film is equally as pretty.
You can preview the book on YouTube.
The Disaster Artist: My Life Inside The Room, the Greatest Bad Movie Ever Made $11: This book, about the making of the cult classic The Room, is being developed into a big screen film directed by James Franco, who will star as filmmaker Tommy Wiseau alongside his brother Dave Franco as Greg Sestero.
A New Dawn: Star Wars $18: This is the first Star Wars novel created in collaboration with the Lucasfilm Story Group, which means it is actually considered canon — which makes it “real”. Set during the legendary “Dark Times” between Episodes III and IV, the story explains how two of the lead characters from the Star Wars Rebels animated series first met. And if you buy the audio book, its filled with music, sound effects and Marc Thompson does a great job with the different character voices.
The Martian: A Novel by Andy Weir $9: Before the Ridley Scott big screen movie adaptation is released next year, read the source material. Matt Damon will play an astronaut stranded on Mars, struggling to survive.
As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride $15: A few readers have highly recommended this book to me, and I’m betting any fan of The Princess Bride would enjoy this one.
The Science of Interstellar $19: I love the fact that the cover of this book contains a big spoiler alert warning; I’m betting Christopher Nolan requested that detail. The book contains 200 color illustrations making it an “accessible and understandable guide to the scientific theories and knowledge underlying the movie.”
The Art of Film Magic: 20 Years of Weta $63: This one is a must for your die-hard WETA or visual effects fan.
Star Wars: The Jedi Path and Book of Sith Deluxe Box Set $30: I haven’t actually read these books but the box set presentation looks beautiful, sure to compliment any book shelf.
Tinseltown: Murder, Morphine, and Madness at the Dawn of Hollywood $20: This novel, recommended to me by FilmDrunk, is based on a true story set in Hollywood during the golden age of movies.
Criterion Designs Hardcover $66: Criterion Collection is known for their amazing laser/dvd/blu-ray cover art, and this book collects it all.
Godzilla: The Art of Destruction: Say what you will about the Godzilla reboot, but one thing you can’t knock is the visuals of the film. Gareth Edwards had some great concept artists working on the film, and you’ll see that in this book.
Preview the book now on YouTube.
The Wes Anderson Collection $24: This book actually came out in 2013, but since we didn’t do a holiday gift guide last year I decided it was worth including in this year’s feature. Matt Zoller Seitz provides the best overview of Wes Anderson’s filmography, including previously unpublished phoots and artwork:
Star Wars Storyboards: The Original Trilogy $27: For a Star Wars fan that already has it all, including the JW Rinzler Making Of books.
You can preview this art book on YouTube.
Warner Bros.: Hollywood’s Ultimate Backlot $21: I love walking around the Hollywood backlots — there is so much Hollywood history and magic in every little corner. I love the Hollywood’s Ultimate Backlot books because they give as a glimpse at the backlots in their glory days, (Sadly, today most of the production on lots is network television shows and not big screen movies.)
Star Wars The Adventures of Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight $16: Yes, another book about the original Star Wars trilogy but this book collects all of Ralph McQuarrie’s beautiful concept art in one place and presents it as a children’s picture book.
James Bond Encyclopedia Updated Edition Hardcover Book $26: I’m sure any James Bond fan would dig this encyclopedia.
Of All the Gin Joints: Stumbling through Hollywood History $14: This book isn’t about movies but is a cocktail book framed around classic stories from Hollywood’s golden ages and the crazy stories behind the scenes.
Wicked Crispy: The Art of Jeff Victor $35: I’ve been featuring Jeff Victor’s art on the site for years now. You probably recognize his evolution of series which chronicles an actor through portraits spanning their career. Jeff’s first book was funded on kickstarter, and now you can buy it!
Star Wars Sculpting a Galaxy: Inside the Star Wars Model Shop Limited edition $394: This thing is a beauty. I’ve seen it in person at Comic Con and was amazed at all that it included. The book itself is almost like an extra compared to all the things included in this amazing gift set.
Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith $15: This book is currently being developed for the big screen by Edgar Wright.
Star Trek Fun with Kirk and Spock $12: Looks like fun.
Tenth of December: Stories by George Saunders $9: While not about movies, this collection of short stories was recommended by /Filmcast co-host Jeff Cannata. It is a National Book Award finalist and named one of the ten best books of the year by The New York Times.
The Rosie Project: A Novel by Graeme Simsion $10: 21 Jump Street/The LEGO Movie directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller are reportedly developing a movie adaptation written by (500) Days of Summer scribe Michael H. Weber.
TASCHEN’s The Making Of Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey $1500: The regular edition is sold out but you can get either of the the art editions, each limited to 250 copies which come with a signed print by 2001 art advisor Brian Sanders. I wish I could afford this beautiful edition but its way way out of my price range.
Michael F-ing Bay: The Unheralded Genius in Michael Bay’s Films by The Bitter Script Reader $10: Hey, I know everyone loves to hate Michael Bay but I really appreciate the filmmaker for a pure visceral level. And I love the fact that someone has written a book praising the “unheralded genius of Michael Bay’s films.”
The Filmmaker Says: Quotes, Quips, and Words of Wisdom $13: I’ve tweeted out photos of some of the quotes in this book and every time I have a dozen or so people inquire about the book. Its a fun coffee table book, and good inspiration for an aspiring filmmaker.
Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography Hardcover by Neil Patrick Harris $16:Yes, autobiographies are usually borring but NPH knows how to do it right — retelling his life story in the form of a choose your own adventure book.
Check Out The Other Parts of /Film’s Ultimate Film Geek Holiday Gift Guide 2014:
Books and Novels Graphic Novels Collectibles, Toys and Games Blu-rays Movie Art Screenprints Music Wearables Miscellaneous Fun Movie/TV Gifts
