Last-Minute DVD Holiday Gift Guide 2008

So, you've put off the holiday shopping until the last minute--perfectly understandable. If things have to come to push and shove, which they will at this point, you might as well do it with the hardcore late shoppers.

At least they're in it for real.

Still, what to get now that you're in such a pinch? Socks? Frowns all around. Underwear? A bum gift--and that pun is intended. Pepper spray? You might need it if your shopping really does begin today.

The good news is that a DVD always makes a swell gift--and a quick, no-stress, often low-cost purchase to boot. Since the options can be overwhelming this time of year, included here are many newer releases, all of which come recommended and all of which can be found at local retailers for much less than the official retail prices listed below.

Since it is the holiday season and time likely will be spent with family (whether you like it or not), try softening the blow by comparing your family against the sort of caustic bickering found in “Sanford and Son: The Complete Series ($59.95), or the high-strung, melodramatic fair found in “McLeod’s Daughters: Seventh Season” ($79.98). Either way, you’ll come out a winner--and you’re families might look sane in comparison.

Other recommended television series new to DVD include “Newsradio: Complete Series” ($59.95); Kiefer Sutherland in “24: Redemption” ($26.98), a terrific tease that leads the show into its sixth season; Michael Fox in the first season of his comedy series “Spin City” ($39.99); the sixth season of “Law & Order” ($59.98), in which every episode is helpfully billed as having been “ripped from today’s headlines!”; the third season of the gratifying mystery series “Bones” ($59.98); and the complete season of HBO’s superlative crime series “The Wire” ($249.99), which joins “Sex and the City” and “The Sopranos” in being among that network’s best shows.

For a throwback, look to Paramount’s release of “Petticoat Junction: The Official First Season” ($40.99). For sports compilations, newest to the market are “The Philadelphia Phillies 2008 World Series Collector’s Edition ($79.95) and, to appease the Sox fan, “The Boston Red Sox Essential Games of Fenway Park ($59.95).

When it comes to movies, obviously there is something for everyone out there, but three are a must-have, with each offered in new, two-disc centennial collections: Billy Wilder’s great 1950 noir classic “Sunset Boulevard,” with Gloria Swanson, William Holden and Erich von Stroheim wending through Hollywood’s seductive--and deadly--maze; William Wyler directing Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck in “Roman Holiday”; and Hepburn again, this time opposite Humphrey Bogart and William Holden, in Billy Wilder’s 1954 film “Sabrina.” Each retails for $24.99 and is filled with extras.

For holiday fare, turn to Morris Chestnut and Gabrielle Union in “The Perfect Holiday” ($27.96); Peter O’Toole and Marcia Gay Harden in “Thomas Kinkade’s Christmas Cottage ($19.98); and there’s “The Christmas Toy Movie” ($14.98), in which Jim Henson’s Muppets gather to cause their brand of unrelenting chaos.

Those who have made the switch to high-definition Blu-ray disc now have an impressive catalog from which to choose. Still, the question is which to choose? A good place to start is with HBO’s “Generation Kill” ($79.98), a seven-part mini-series about the first 40 days of combat in Iraq; the two-disc special edition of the original 1951 version of “The Day the Earth Stood Still” ($34.95); and two series from the BBC--“Robin Hood: Season One” ($99.98) and the first season of “Torchwood” ($99.98), the latter of which is a sci-fi spin-off of the network's "Doctor Who" franchise, with a solid dose of sex meant to spice up the proceedings. It does.

For those seeking comedies on Blu-ray, look to Queen Latifah living large at what presumably is the end of her character’s life in “Last Holiday” ($29.99); Latifah again in “Mad Money” ($29.97); Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz hamming it up in 1994’s “The Mask” ($28.99); Macaulay Culkin taking down Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern in John Hughes’ “Home Alone” ($34.99); Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn in “Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story” ($25.99); and Arnold Schwarzenegger in the modest 1996 holiday movie “Jingle All the Way” ($34.99).

Also on Blu-ray are Demi Moore, Patrick Swayze and Whoopi Goldberg in the romantic dramedy “Ghost” ($29.99), which snagged Goldberg an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress; the comedy “Super Troopers” ($34.98); Jet Li in the action film “Fearless” ($29.98); Luc Besson’s “The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc” ($28.95) and his gritty action movie “La Femme Nikita” ($28.95); and three nature-based documentaries from IMAX: “The Living Sea,” “The Coral Reef Adventure” and “Dolphins,” each retailing for $24.98.

Finally, since nobody likes an unhappy child during the holiday season, unless of course it's a cruel sibling with esteem issues, recommended titles to keep them smiling--at least for the moment--include three in the Walt Disney Treasures series: “The Chronological Donald, Vol. 4, 1951-1961,” “The Mickey Mouse Club Presents Annette, 1957-1958 Season” and “Dr. Syn: The Scarecrow of Romney March” ($32.99 each). Also, look for “Abbot and Costello: The Complete Universal Picture Collection” ($119.98), which is perfect for kids, as is “Popeye the Sailor: 1941-1943, Vol. 3” ($34.98); and “Bear Snores On and More Beary Adorable Tales” ($14.95).

For tweens who can’t get enough Hannah Montana in their lives, there’s the “Hannah Montana: DVD Game” ($29.99), which is rife with trivia and opportunities to audition for Montana’s band. For older teens who would prefer to leave Montana’s clutches, consider “Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Vol. 6 ($29.99) and “Metalocalypse: Season 2 ($29.98). Should they dig science fiction, there’s no going wrong with one of the better boxed sets available--“Outer Limits: The Original Series” ($59.98)--which is where many might find themselves once this hectic season has finally passed.