DECEMBER is here and the sound of sleigh bells is getting ever closer.
Luckily, we’ve picked out the perfect unusual presents for the film lover in your life.
From micro fighters to Polish film memorabilia, there should be no excuse for simply settling for another DVD box set from the supermarket.
If you’re based in the town centre, head to Pure Space on Bank Street, where you can buy canvases featuring scenes from dozens of films — from Goodfellas to Breakfast At Tiffany’s. Prices start at £10 all the way to £120. And if you can’t see what you want, Noel will make a canvas to order from your favourite film.
For even more one-off gifts head to some of the handmade goods sites like Etsy.com where you can find film reel cufflinks, Juno badges and plenty more.
Juno badges, $3 each from Scissorkix at Etsy.com
Film reel cufflinks, $14 from Dabble Designs at Etsy.com
For real connoisseurs, splash out on Taschen’s Ingmar Bergman Archives.
Featuring reprints of writings and interviews, unseen images from Bergman’s films, a DVD of rare material, a film strip from Fanny and Alexander that has been played on Bergman’s own projector, reprints of press clippings, personal photographs and photographs of the contents of his workbooks, it’s a stunning tribute to one of the greatest film-makers ever.
At £120 it’s pricey, but it’s also the sort of gift that will still be treasured in 50 years’ time. A quick check tells us that Waterstones on Deansgate in Manchester still have a few copies in stock, but stocks are low.
Taschen Ingmar Bergman Archives, £120 from Waterstones
From the sublime to the ridiculous, Star Wars Mighty Muggs are six inch high collectible vinyl figures that look like what would happen if a bunch of Manga characters ever decided to take on the might of the Empire.
Each character is limited edition — something we know Star Wars geeks will love — and they’re available from Firebox at £9.95 each.
Star Wars Mighty Muggs, £9.95 from Firebox.com
Sticking with a Star Wars theme, for a really unusual present head to Polishposter.com. Highly interprative classics of Eastern European design, the site includes posters of hundreds of films, from George Lucas’s intergalactic trilogy to Pulp Fiction, and from The Illusionist to The Big Lebowski.
Suddenly that Trainspotting poster so beloved by students is looking a little, well, obvious.
Polish Star Wars poster, $48.16 from Polishposters.com
The High Street isn’t usually the source of the most unusual presents, but if this summer’s blockbusters Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk have whetted your film lover’s taste for all things Marvel this notebook makes the perfect stocking-filler — just £6 and available at Debenhams stores nationwide.
Marvel notebook, £6 from Debenhams
For those who like to get a little bit more involved in their favourite films, Filmgifts.co.uk have made a whole range of Bates Motel merchandise, including dressing gowns, towels and toothbrush holders so fans can deck their homes out just like the set of Hitchock’s iconic film Psycho, although hopefully there’ll be no gruesome surprises.
Bates Motel dressing gown, £39.99 from Filmgifts.co.uk
Or they could make like Maverick with a teensy fighter plane from Firebox that can pull off death defying manoeuvres powered by twin engines. Altogether now — “Highway to the danger zoh-one...”
Top Gun micro fighter, £29.95 from Firebox.com
Most ready-made gift packs for film buffs in the shops go down the predictable “here’s a basket full of popcorn” route.
Now I love popcorn as much, no, probably much, much more than the next person, but during the festive period a bag of Butterkist just isn’t going to cut it.
This old-school popcorn maker from Play.com, on the other hand, is utterly fabulous — made in the shape of a traditional cinema popcorn maker it cooks using hot air, so it’s much less fattening than that plate of mince pies.
Nostalgic popcorn maker, £19.99 from Play.com
Finally, one of the top toys for boys this Christmas, the Indiana Jones Sound FX Hat and Whip will be a favourite for kids young and old. It’ll add an extra level of authenticity to adventures discovering ancient relics and exploting the exotic locations of the back garden.
Indiana Jones Sound FX Hat and Whip, £24.99 from all good toyshops
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