It's that time again; Holiday Gift Guide time! We kick off things with books and will also feature guides on videogames, blu-ray/DVD's, collectibles and apparel, Black Friday deals, and finish up with Cyber Monday deals!
If you're a geek like me, then you've probably got rows upon rows of pop culture books that hold a strong sense of nostalgia and importance to your nerd habits. From written works of fiction, behind-the-scenes art books, movie-related tie-ins, or comics and graphic novels, there's a bevy of book-bound goods that bring joy and happiness to satiate any fanboy/girl and help fill those lonely shelves. This year is no different, with plenty to offer in all those departments. Take a gander at some of the coolest (and timeliest) books for this Holiday season!
DISCLAIMER: These prices can be fickle, so there's no telling if and when a money-saving opportunity might end or if the price may change. So if you want something – snap that shit up quick! Don't wait, only to have Festivus roll around and discover you've nothing to give or the price suddenly changed and you no longer have the bread. And remember that if you want to support JoBlo.com, please use our links below for your purchases. We thank you in advance!
Wes Anderson Collection: The Grand Budapest Hotel ($21.03)
Last year, we featured the beautiful Wes Anderson collection book that cataloged the beloved director's career but stopped short of THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL. Now, this companion book gives the director's latest film the same behind the scenes treatment and goes through every detail of the beautifully crafted movie's sets, costumes, and characters. A must have for Anderson fans.
Bond By Design: The Art of the James Bond Films ($32.89)
Bring home a book all about the storyboards and design elements that have helped craft the 007 franchise. From the Sean Connery era all the way through Daniel Craig's reign as Bond, this book collects images that are cool enough to frame and hang on your wall.
Blood, Sweat, and Bond: Behind the Scenes of Spectre ($25.29)
Or, if you want to stick with contemporary Bond, this new book catalogs everything related to Sam Mendes' latest film, SPECTRE. While it may not be the fan favorite that SKYFALL was, SPECTRE is still one of the most visually accomplished Bond films of all time and now you can read all about how they made it.
The Big Bad Book of Bill Murray: A Critical Appreciation of the World's Finest Actor ($12.62)
I really don't need to say anything more about this book that the title doesn't already tell you. This is a book for the movie fan in your life or the friend of yours who owns a t-shirt with Murray's face emblazoned on it. Even the most casual fan knows that Bill Murray is a genius and this book should make them very happy.
Back To The Future: The Ultimate VIsual History ($29.65)
A beautiful coffee table caliber book made with the cooperation of Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, and Robert Zemeckis. Relive all three films and learn things that you may not have known about one of the best trilogies of all time.
Crimson Peak: The Art of Darkness ($29.45)
Guillermo Del Toro's romantic horror film featured some of the most unique character and set designs of the year. So, what better way to revisit the foreboding haunted house known as Crimson Peak than with this beautiful book that examines pre-production through the finished film with full illustrations. Definitely worth checking out.
Gilliamesque: A Pre-posthumous Memoir ($22.00)
The director responsible for classic films like BRAZIL and TIME BANDITS reflects on his life and tumultuous career ranging from his early days in Monty Python through his struggles to make a film version of Don Quixote. A unique and hilarious book about one of the best filmmakers of all time.
1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die ($22.02)
Another year and another update to this essential book. Now featuring films from last year including Best Picture winner BIRDMAN, this is a book every movie fan should own. It also makes for fun to see just how many of the thousand and one films you have actually seen.
The Making of Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY ($40.66)
Stanley Kubrick's science fiction masterpiece is one of the essential films every movie watcher should see at least once. For those hardcore Kubrickians out there, this big book examines the reclusive filmmaker's process and ambition in making this amazing feature.
Nicolas Winding Refn: The Act of Seeing ($68.54)
Less a book than a curated collection of stunning movie posters, this collection comes courtesy of DRIVE and ONLY GOD FORGIVES director Nicolas Winding Refn. A gorgeous and unique coffee table book, this would definitely be a talking point for any and every film fan.
I Lost It At The Video Store: A Filmmaker's Oral History of a Vanished Era ($18.06)
I absolutely loved this book that serves as a reminder of what the world was like back when we had video stores. Featuring interviews with everyone from David O. Russell, Quentin Tarantino, and Kevin Smith as they discuss what working at video stores did to help develop their future careers as movie directors. If you ever worked at one, this book will hit home in a very special way.
The Art of STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS ($23.84)
We won't even know how THE FORCE AWAKENS looks until the week before Christmas, but something tells me people will love this book regardless. An easy sell for someone who you know loves STAR WARS.
Funny!: Twenty-Five Years of Laughter from the Pixar Story Room ($16.81)
Pixar has become one of the most influential studios in history in just under three decades. With almost a perfect track record of film releases, they are the bar that other animators set themselves against. This book reflects on those twenty-five years of movie magic in a lovingly compiled and illustrated book.
The Movie Book (Big Ideas Simply Explained) ($17.14)
DK books are often considered children's books, but this visual dictionary examines the greatest works of cinema from yesterday and today. If you are looking to introduce a new film fan to the greatest movies ever made, this is the book to hand them.
THE HATEFUL EIGHT: A Screenplay ($12.96)
Quentin Tarantino's screenplays are so phenomenally written that you can practically visualize the movie without even seeing it. I hate to compare Tarantino to Shakespeare, but Tarantino is the most readable writer of dialogue since, well, Shakespeare. His latest film was leaked last year and almost jeopardized the film from being made, but now you can own an official copy.
Star Wars Art: A Poster Collection: Featuring 20 Removable, Frameable Prints ($15.06)
With six films and two television series released over four decades, STAR WARS has compiled a book's worth of posters. Here they are in full reproductions that can be taken out of the book and framed on your wall. For less than the cost of Blu-ray, you can decorate your entire home as if it were in a galaxy far, far away.
The Criterion Collection could be known as Film School in a Box. Each expertly curated and compiled disc is a loving tribute to the filmmaker whose work it contains. They also go above and beyond with the art, inside and out. This book showcases those stunning posters and designs in a book that is almost as good as actually owning the discs themselves.
The Art of MAD MAX: FURY ROAD ($23.81)
One of JoBlo.com's favorite films of the year is broken down in this illustrated tome that deserves to be seen and owned by every fan of the film. You can almost smell the dirt and gasoline as you flip these pages. This book will make the recipient feel shiny and chrome as they make their way towards Valhalla.
The World of Tim Burton ($22.23)
Tim Burton's contributions to the medium of cinema cannot be told in mere words. His visual style is clearly his own and his influences are far-flung. This book compiles his artistic works and how they grew from and influenced his films.
GHOSTBUSTERS: The Ultimate Visual History ($32.24)
Another coffee table book for an iconic 1980s film, this is a book that must be owned. You think you know all there is to know about GHOSTBUSTERS? Well, why not look over all of that trivia and history accompanied by full color illustrations. This is a great gift for anyone.
The Art and Making of Hannibal: The Television Series ($15.28)
Before it was cancelled after three seasons, Bryan Fuller's adaptation of the character made famous in THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS was the most distinct and unique series on television. There has never been a more beautiful and haunting horror show and likely never will be another. This is a must see show and a great book that highlights the grotesque glory of the series.
VHS Video Cover Art: 1980s to Early 1990s ($27.53)
As the curator of the VHS Retro Art Round-up, I can say that this is a book I would love to own. Chock full of classic and obscure box art from the reign of video tapes, this book highlights the art of the video-cassette and a bygone era.