Holiday gift guide

[GaryMrMets]

http://www.nydailynews.com/city_life/story/366956p-312382c.html

Holiday gift guide
Get them what they really want this year!

The best presents indulge a person's particular passions and pastimes - as opposed to going the "one size fits all" route. With that in mind, we've come up with items tailor-made for fashionistas (like cocoa-colored faux-fur jackets and traffic-stopping messenger bags); foodies (cutting-edge kitchen tools are always appreciated); animal lovers (they'll all covet the cool-cat lamp); homebodies (no "March of the Penguins" fan will be able to resist the salt-and-pepper shakers), and technophiles (Howard Stern fans will be clamoring for a Sirius radio).

Getting the perfect gift does more than tell someone you love them - it also says you know them.

•For the homebody Thread # 2

•For the fashionista Thread # 3

•For the guy with style Thread # 4

•For the technofile Thread # 5

•For the foodie Thread # 6

•For the animal lover Thread # 7

Originally published on November 20, 2005

[GaryMrMets]

http://www.nydailynews.com/city_life/story/367420p-312384c.html

For the homebody
They are sure to make room for these presents

By ISABEL FORGANG

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1. UNCORKED "Sandro" is a handy guy to have around. This clever corkscrew from Alessi is $45 at the Shop at Cooper-Hewitt, 2 E. 91st St., (212) 849-8355.

2. JUST DESSERTS Old-fashioned parfait glasses are perfect for ice cream, pudding and other desserts; $6.95 each at Serendipity 3, 225 E. 60th St., (212) 838-3531.

3. TRAY CHIC Carry on with these patterned lacquer trays by Todd Oldham for La-Z-Boy; $69 for a set of three; go to www.lazboy.com for nearest store.

4. CAN IT Whimsical stoneware canisters from Pfaltzgraff's Pistoulet collection have tight seals to keep contents safe and dry; $19.99 each, available online at www.pfaltzgraff.com or by phone, 1-800-999-2811.

5. LIGHT READING Red leather magazine tote handsomely keeps reading material at the ready; $89.95 at Crate & Barrel. For stores, go to www.crateandbarrel.com or call 1-800-967-6696.

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6. WHO NEEDS FLOWERS Antique-looking, hand-crafted metal vase is pretty enough to stand on its own; $45 at Pier 1 Imports. (To find the nearest store click on Store Locator at www.pier1.com or call 1-800-245-4595).

7. DESIGNER DINNER Even takeout sushi is elegant when served on this lacquered black tray ($75) with brick-colored chopsticks ($8); at Calvin Klein Home, 654 Madison Ave., (212) 292-9000.

8. SEASON TO TASTE Penguin salt and pepper shakers from Harry and David add spice to the table; $14.95, to order, go to www.harryanddavid.com or call (800) 547-3033.

9. A PUZZLING SOLUTION Solve the wine storage problem with this ABS polymer wine rack, in orange, charcoal or khaki ($60). At MoMA Design Store, 44 W. 53rd St. and 81 Spring St. (www.momastore.org).

10. STANDING TALL Stately "Chiseled Vase" comes in white as well as black; $90 at Calvin Klein Home.

11. ESPRESSO YOURSELF Bright yellow "hatbox" keeps multicolor porcelain coffee/tea cups and saucers or espresso set (pictured) neatly stored till it's time to pour. Service for six is $29.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond. For nearest store, call 1-800-GOBEYOND; to order online, go to www.bedbathandbeyond.com.

12. SEEING SPOTS Toast the season with these hand-painted champagne flutes; $8 each at Pier 1 Imports.

13. BRIGHT OUTLOOK Kosta Boda's Atoll votive comes in an array of delicious colors like lime, violet and turquoise; $35 at Michael C. Fina, 545 Fifth Ave., (212) 557-2500.

14. GIVING TWICE Part of purchase price ($49.95) of this desktop rose garden from Harry and David goes to Habitat for Humanity International.

15. A TOSS UP Award-winning hand-blown glass "Ensalada" bowl and polished stainless steel servers from Umbra's U+ Studio collection is available in red or white ($88) at the Whitney Museum of Art Gift Store, 945 Madison Ave., 1-800-WHITNEY.

Originally published on November 19, 2005

[GaryMrMets]

http://www.nydailynews.com/city_life/story/367405p-312385c.html

For the fashionista
Stylish suggestions for the trendsetter on your list

By MICHELE INGRASSIA

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1. JACKIE OH! Celebrate her inner icon with this Jackie bag from Loop's Warhol Collection. Made of sturdy PVC with a nylon strap. $32, at www.girlshop.com or 1-888-450-SHOP.

2. ROCK ON Covered in Swarovski crystals, Shuga Buds' ear buds will be music to her ears. $45 each, at Saks Fifth Avenue, 611 Fifth Ave., at 50th St., (212) 753-4000.

3. URBAN COWGIRL She'll be riding high in these turquoise-and-tan suede Western boots by Steve Madden. $159 at Macy's, 151 W. 34th St., (212) 695-4400 and www.macys.com.

4. WARM FUZZIES A short faux fur jacket by W. $80 at JCPenney. For store locator, visit www.jcpenney.com or call 1-800-222-6161.

5. GIVE HER A HAND Target's embellished leather gloves, with pearl and crystal bead trim and fleece lining, come in ivory, black and gold. $29.99, at Target. For locations, visit www.target.com.

6. CITY CHICKS For the coolest girl on your list, a rhinestone-trimmed Ed Hardy "New York City" T-shirt. $98 at Henri Bendel,712 Fifth Ave., at W. 56th St., (212) 247-1100.

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7. AS TIME GOES BY Every day is a good fashion day with a stylish calendar. Some faves: the "Little Black Dress" 2006 pocket calendar ($7.99), "Just the Right Shoe" 2006 desk calendar ($16.99) and the "Shoes" Metropolitan Museum of Art mini wall calendar ($7.99), all from Andrews McMeel Publishing. At Borders, Barnes and Noble and www.andrewsmcmeel.com.

8. SIMPLY DAZZLING From Satellite Paris, earrings ($45) made from orange sea coral, glass beads and Swarovski crystal set in copper. At Satellite Paris, 412 West Broadway at Spring St., (212) 372-0016.

9. HAPPY HUNTING Even if the only thing she can bag is a bargain, she'll love this trapper hat, made from quilted nylon with rabbit-fur brim and flaps. By Crown, $55, at Bloomingdale's, 1000 Third Ave., at 59th St., (212) 705-2000.

10. LOOP DI LOO Keep her warm - and looking cool -- in a colorful wool scarf. $45, at The Scarf Lady, 408 Lenox Ave., at 130th St., (212) 862-7369.

11. BAG OF CHERRIES Whimsical red enamel berries finish off this green terry wallet ($30) and cosmetic case ($30). At Henri Bendel.

12. SCENT OF A WOMAN Former Gucci golden boy Tom Ford is back, this time in a collaboration with Estée Lauder, where he has revamped the Youth Dew line. Youth Dew Amber Nude eau de parfum spray is $65. At Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman.

13. FRAME IT A classic square-frame purse in caramel-colored faux crocodile. $17, from the Isaac Mizrahi Collection at Target.

14. SNAP TO IT One of the season's hippest takes on velvet is Calvin Klein Jeans' short, fitted jacket with military detailing. $99, at Macy's.

15. HEAD OVER HEELS These yummy Stuart Weitzman solid milk, dark or white chocolate pumps come in a clear plastic handbag. $38 each, at Stuart Weitzman stores, 625 Madison Ave., at 59th St., (212) 750-2555, and Time Warner Center, 10 Columbus Circle, 10B, (212) 823-9560.

Originally published on November 19, 2005

[GaryMrMets]

http://www.nydailynews.com/city_life/story/367424p-312369c.html

For the guy with style
Colorful accessories for that special man in your life

By MICHELE INGRASSIA

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1. SO RETRO Original Penguin's '50s-inspired "Mr. Dumby" wool V-neck ($79) and "Oslo" ski hat ($35) are the coolest things this side of Antarctica. Both at the Original Penguin Flagship Store, 1077 Sixth Ave., at 40th St., (646) 443-3520.

2. CARRYALL Pack up his papers and computer in a sturdy orange nylon messenger bag from Tumi. $135, at Macy's, 151 W. 34th St., (212) 695-4400.

3. CHAIN GANG Sparklers for him include a set of sterling silver-and-mother-of-pearl dog tags, $95, by Seven, and a copper-toned Maltese cross, $20, by Guess. Both at Macy's.

4. SO COZY Curl his toes with cashmere blend argyle socks, available in a rainbow of colors, $24.50 a pair at Banana Republic. For store locator, visit www.bananarepublic.com or call 1-888-277-8953.

5. FASHIONABLY LATE Keep him running on time with Nautica's classic tank watch, with faux croc strap, $75. Available at Nautica, 1-800-248-3775 or www.nautica.com.

6. MAKES SCENTS To make sure he smells as good as he looks, the "Te Quiero, Papi" gift basket from Carol's Daughter includes Gordon's Shaving Lotion, Mango Crush Dead Sea Salt exfoliator, Ginger Mango Fruit Whip moisturizer, Havana Bar Soap and Green Tea Body Spray, $52.95. Available at Carol's Daughter, 24 W. 125th St., (212) 828-6757, and 1 South Elliot Place (at Dekalb Ave.), Brooklyn, (718) 596-1862. Also at www.carolsdaughter.com.

7. HEY, MATE This Dopp kit is regulation New York-black on the outside, but the inside features a whimsical red-white-and-blue Union Jack, $28. From Ben Sherman at Urban Outfitters. For store locator, visit www.urbanoutfitters.com or call 1-800-959-8794.

8. HEAD OF THE CLASS The prepster look rules with jeans or with tweeds, and he can tie it all together with a striped, felted wool scarf, $49.50. Available from Metropolitan View, at Bloomingdale's, 1000 Third Ave., at 59th St., (212) 705-2000.

9. TIE ONE ON J. Crew's Tie of the Month Club is the gift that keeps on giving. He'll receive a different English silk tie every month, from January to December. Preselected by J.Crew's menswear editors, the ties come in a slew of colors and designs. $475 (about $40 per tie), including monthly shipping fees. Available at 1-866-739-5944.

Originally published on November 19, 2005

[GaryMrMets]

http://www.nydailynews.com/city_life/story/367419p-312378c.html

For the technofile
Cutting-edge gadgets for those in the know

By MICHELLE MEGNA

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1. OLD SCHOOL JAMMIN' If people on your list are of the High Fidelity generation, meaning they listened to music before the advent of compact discs, chances are they have a lot of cassette tapes cluttering up shelves that they no longer have the tools to play. The perfect way to bring old tapes into the modern age: PlusDeck2c. This nifty gadget fits into a bay on your computer and plays your tapes as hi-fi audio and also converts them to WAV or MP3 files. $139.99, available at www.thinkgeek.com.

2. WITHOUT A TRACE Who doesn't surf the Web at work? To do so without worrying that your boss is following in your tracks, plug in the StealthSurfer, a 128MB USB drive, preloaded with Firefox Web browser, Thunderbird, an E-mail application and Anonymizer, which masks the sites you visit. When you remove the drive, your path is erased, along with your temporary files. $99, at stealthsurfer.com.

3. JACK OF ALL TRADES Swiss Memory USB integrates a portable memory drive, LED light, Swiss army knife, of course, and a ballpoint pen into one tool. Any multitasking New Yorker can appreciate this all-in-one gadget. $79.99 to $169.99, available in 1GB, 512MB, 256MB capacities at Swiss Army Victorinox, 136 Prince St., (212) 965-5714 and www.thinkgeek.com.

4. PROPS FOR PSP If you want to watch movies on your portable PlayStation without twisting your neck, pull out Logitech's PlayGear AMP, a set of foldout speakers with a stand. Now you can watch your favorite flicks while supporting your PSP. $59.99, available at J&R Electronics, Park Row, downtown across from City Hall Park, 1-800-806-1115, or www.jr.com.

5. TV TO GO The Slingbox lets you watch television on any laptop or computer that's connected to the Internet. (It won the Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Award for the year.) Connect it to your cable box or DVD player and it transmits programs over the Internet to any networked computer that has Slingbox software installed. Great for frequent travelers on your list. $250, available at Best Buy, 60 W. 23rd St., (212) 366-1373.

6. HOWARD'S FRESH START The ultimate gift for Howard Stern fans is a Sirius satellite radio, which airs 120 channels of commercial-free music, news and sports. For car owners on a budget, try the Starmate Replay unit for $79.99 with $50 rebate ($40 optional home kit available); for home there's the SR-H550 for $269 and the wearable S50 (pictured), $279 with $50 rebate, is great for working out or hanging out ($12.95 monthly subscriber fee not included). At Circuit City, 9605 Queens Blvd., Rego Park, (718) 275-2077.

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7. MOVIES AND MUSIC For teens on the go, the Coby TF-DVD500 portable DVD/CD/MP3 player is the perfect party present. Its compact, mod design makes it backpack friendly. It comes with a carrying case as well as headphones, car charger, rechargeable battery pack and remote control. $105. Available at J&R Electronics.

8. VIDEO TO GO If your loved one has been an iPod holdout, this is the gift to get. The latest edition that plays videos is your reward. All the iTunes capability is here, plus you can play video files. The color display is up from 2 to 2.5 inches and battery life is extended to 12 hours for the 30GB unit, 20 hours on the 60GB model. $299 for the 30GB model (7,500 songs) and $399 for the 60GB model (15,000 songs). At Apple Store SoHo, 103 Prince St., (212) 226-3126, or Apple Store Staten Island, Staten Island Mall, 2655 Richmond Ave., (718) 477-4180.

9. WIRELESS WONDER Kodak's four-megapixel EasyShare-One ($599) is one of the first cameras with wireless E-mail capability. It uploads, shares and prints pictures. If you're on a budget and don't care about wireless capability, try the four-megapixel EasyShare C330 for $159. At Best Buy.

10. STRAIGHT TO DVD Rated as a top-quality pick at an affordable price by Consumer Reports, the Panasonic DMR-E65S records and plays DVDs, features an SD memory card slot used by many digital cameras and is one of the few DVD recorders that has TV Guide On Screen. $189, available at B&H Photo Video, 420 Ninth Ave., 1-800-606-6969, www.bhphotovideo.com.

11. DIGITAL STORY TIME Do books take a backseat to video games and TV? Fisher Price and Scholastic teamed up for the ideal solution: classic books brought to life on interactive DVDs. For ages 3 to 7, "Read With Me" DVD, $29.99, includes "Where the Wild Things Are." $14.99 for each additional DVD. Available at Target, 139 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn, (718) 290-1109.

12. 'X' MARKS THE BOX Xbox 360 has the speed of a high-end gaming computer, more graphics-rendering power, 512MB of memory, up from 64MB, and also handles photos, music, online gaming, TV and DVDs. $299. At Best Buy.

13. MULTIMEDIA MOBILE Samsung's swivel-phone a970 boasts a 2-megapixel camera, MP3 player, the cutting-edge cell technology EVDO that delivers video, music and high-speed Web access, a business card scanner and 32 MB of memory. $299 with $50 rebate at www.bestbuy.com.

14. IN AN INSTANT Beam images via infrared from your cell phone camera to this super-compact Fujifilm MP-70 portable printer to produce credit-card size Polaroid-like shots. Check www.fujifilm.com for phone compatibility; infrared capability required. $100 at J&R Electronics.

15. SNOW TREK For city slickers, snowshoes are a better fit than four-wheel drive. The Atlas Snow-Shoe Company developed spring-loaded suspension for mobility in snow. Some models are even used by U.S. Special Operations forces. For urban use, we suggest the Elektra 8 series, designed for gals, or the 8 series for the guys. $169, available at Paragon Sports, 867 Broadway, (212) 989-8686.

16. HOLLYWOOD BECKONS Teens and tweens can release their inner directors with Vidster, a video camera with 32MB of memory and three-step photo and video editing software. Films can be easily E-mailed, uploaded onto Web sites or burned onto DVDs. $79.99, at Target, 8801 Queens Blvd., Elmhurst, (718) 760-5656; and Toys "R" Us, 1514 Broadway, 1-800-869-7787.

Originally published on November 19, 2005

[GaryMrMets]

http://www.nydailynews.com/city_life/story/367408p-312376c.html

For the foodie
A feast of ideas to thrill cooks and connoisseurs

By JOE DZIEMIANOWICZ

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1. STATES TASTES An All-American selection of artisanal cheeses ranges from pungent and punchy to earthy and mild. $80, at Murray's Cheese, 254 Bleecker St. (between Sixth & Seventh Aves.), (212) 243-3289 or Grand Central Market, E. 43rd St. and Lexington Ave. (212) 922-1540.

2. GO-GO GOURMET Nineteen seasonings in the Mobile Foodie Survival Kit spice up meals when you're on the road. $30, at Flight 001, 96 Greenwich Ave. (near Jane St.) (212) 989-0001.

3. COUNTER CULTURE Decorative dish towels make cleanup more fun. $3.95 each, at Crate and Barrel. For store locator or to order, visit www.crateandbarrel.com or call 1-800-967-6696.

4. FUN WITH FOOD Vegetable slicer from Benriner turns veggies into gorgeous garnishes. $55, from the Art of Cooking, 555 Hudson St. (between Perry St. and 11th Ave.), (212) 414-4940.

5. BEST-PRESSED Make sandwiches in style with Mario Batali's persimmon-colored panini pan. $80, at Sur La Table, 75 Spring St. (at Crosby St.); (212) 966-3375.

6. POP GOES THE GIFT Old-fashioned popcorn maker. $90, at JCPenney. For store locator or to order, visit www.jcpenney.com or call 1-800-222-6161.(This same popcorn maker is on sale this week at CVS/Pharmacy for $19.99 + tax over $60.00 in savings as opposed to buying it at JCPenny.)

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7. CANDY LAND Peppermint Bark ($22.50) and Fluffernutter ($26) in nostalgic tins make holidays sweet. At Williams-Sonoma. For store locator, visit www.williams-sonoma.com or call (877) 812-6235.

8. BRR-ILLIANT IDEA Electric wine chiller by Breville chills wines in just minutes. $50, at Bed Bath & Beyond. For store locator, visit www.bedbathandbeyond.com or call 1-800-GOBEYOND.

9. BRAIN FOOD Foodies can read it and eat with "Hidden Kitchens" by NPR's Nikki Silva and Davia Nelson ($27.50), "Gordon Ramsay Makes It Easy" ($24.95) and "Serves One" by Toni Lydecker ($16.95). At all major bookstores or www.amazon.com.

10. LITTER DIPPER Breaking bread is more fun with a dipping set that includes olive oil, pourer, ramekin and Provence herbs. $28.50 at O & Co., Grand Central Terminal, 249 Bleecker St. and 92 Prince St.

11. SIPPING PRETTY Kraft Foods Tassimo hot beverage system made by Braun brews a perfect cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate, $169. Boxes of single-serve refills, $6.50-$10, at Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Bed Bath & Beyond, Linens 'n Things and www.tassimo.com.

12. GET FRESH Festive baskets from The Orchard, like this $69 tower of fruits, preserves and sweets, are perennial pleasers. 1367 Coney Island Ave., Brooklyn, (718) 377-1799, www.orchardfruit.com.

13. WAKEUP CALL Breakfast set - omelet pan, mixing bowl, whisk, measuring cup and recipes - by All-Clad makes mornings sparkle. $150, at Bloomingdale's, 1000 Third Ave., (800) 232-1854.

14. RIB TICKLER Charleston, S.C.,-based Sticky Fingers delivers Memphis-style hickory-smoked ribs, pulled pork, barbecue sauces and rubs anywhere in the country. $50 for sampler shown. 1-800-STICKYS or www.stickyfingers.com

15. MAKE THE CUT Good knives are key to cooking. Chicago Cutlery's three-piece Asian set includes a 7-inch Santoku knife, a 4-inch paring knife and case. $50, at Kohl's. For store locator, visit www.kohls.com or call (866) 887-8884. For beginning cooks, include a certificate for knife skills workshop. $85, at Institute of Culinary Education, 50 W. 23rd St., (212) 847-0700.

Originally published on November 19, 2005

[GaryMrMets]

http://www.nydailynews.com/city_life/story/367421p-312366c.html

For the animal lover
Whether they're for Fido, Fluffy or their owners,
these gifts are the cat's meow

By FELISSA BENJAMIN

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1. CAT NIPPED Tyson the Cat Photo Holders, $24 each, at Uncommon Goods, (212) 660-1400 or www.uncommongoods.com.

2. BONE APPETIT Nonstick bone-shaped cake pan, $16.99, ideal with Brutie's Barkery Carob Chip Canine cake mix. $8.99, at Paw Shop, (914) 557-3770 or www.pawshop.com.

3. FOR CHEWSY PUPS The one shoe he's allowed to snack on, the Plush Slipper Squeeze Toy. $3.99, at Pet Smart, 1520 Forest Ave., Staten Island, (718) 273-3874 or www.petsmart.com.

4. EYE-SPY Keep the birds in your sight with the Audubon Monocular in blue. $34.95, at the Bird Shed, 1-866-BIRDSHED or www.thebirdshed.com.

5. FANG SHUI Get a new leash on life with "How to Meditate With Your Dog,"$16.95, and "Doggie Daycare" DVD, $28.95, to help uptight pooches find their inner chi. "How to Meditate With Your Dog" at www.dogmeditation.com and "Doggie Daycare" DVD at www.doggiedaycaredvd.com.

6. PAMPERED PETS Soothe your pets' skin with SheaPet's buttery shampoos and conditioners. Shea butter conditioner with allantoin, $14.40, sulfate-free shampoo with shea butter and avocado, $16.50, herbal moisturizing treatment, $14.50, and skin repair and dander care, $14.50. To order, call 1-888-SHEAPET or visit www.sheapets.com.

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7. KITTY LIT Catie the Kitty Lamp (also comes as a dog, pig, frog or monkey). $20, at Uncommon Goods.

8. A CAT'S WORLD Everyone's favorite board game with a purrfect twist. $24.95, at Paw Shop.

9. AJARABLE Hand-painted dog treat jar, $65-$175, depending on design. At Faux Paw Productions, (949) 497-6333 or www.fauxpawproductions.com.

10. DOG CANDY Nothing is sweeter than this Candy Cane Sweater - except perhaps the dog in it. $29, at Trixie and Peanut, 23 E. 20th St., (212) 358-0881.

11. REPTILE RACK Sea Turtle Coat Rack, $32.50, at HerpArts, (718) 275-2190 or www.herparts.com.

12. KVELLING KITTIES For the kosher cat, Chewish Cat Toys - Mini Hanukkah Gelt or Kitty Lox, $6 each, at Trixie and Peanut.

13. PUPPY LOVE Have something to bark about at an early age with My First AKC Puppy Kit by Steiff. $55, at FAO Schwarz, 767 Fifth Ave., (212) 644-9400.

14. TRENDY TOTER "Star" argyle dog carrier, $194, by Tara Boone. To order, call (212) 477-7180 or visit www.taraboone.com.

15. CANINE KEEPSAKES Cherish, celebrate, commemorate - all on your pet's collar with Luxepets collars and charms. Collars range from $35 to $42 depending on size; nickel plate charms $8 each. To order, call (310) 314-9837 or visit www.luxepets.com.

16. GET A JUMP ON 2006 Hop through the new year with this adorable Frog Calendar. $13.99, www.herparts.com and Barnes and Noble stores throughout the city.

Originally published on November 19, 2005

[GaryMrMets]

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/story/369001p-313953c.html

Coming to a coffee table near you
There's something for everyone
in this seasonal selection of fabulous books

•BUILDING NEW YORK by Bruce Marshall (Universe, $49.95)
It must have been enormous fun sifting through archives to find the hundred-plus years' worth of vintage photos that fill this rich book. From the tip of the Woolworth Building peeking through low clouds to numerous shots of old theaters, neighborhoods and streets in the middle years of the 20th century, the book traces the development of the city as the home of people, not as a random grouping of steel, concrete and bricks.
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•BLOOD SWEAT AND TEARS: Or How I Stopped Worrying and Learned to Love Fashion by Bruce Weber (teNeues, $150)
Men love the idea of women performing mundane tasks - vacuuming, picking a video to watch - in sexy dresses and stilettos. This is partially Bruce Weber's fault. Included among the myriad erotic male shots here (the clinging powers of plastic wrap on skin are staggering) are beautiful female models languishing in canoes and hanging from tree swings. There's also a smattering of Weber's famous Calvin Klein tighty-whitey shots.

•POPE JOHN PAUL II: A Life in Pictures, essay by Henri Tincq (PowerHouse, $45)
This photo book revisits the life of John Paul II, who became a much-loved figure during the quarter century he occupied the Vatican. When he died this year, he moved directly into myth, so the most fascinating pictures here are not the ceremonial occasions - majestic as they often look - but the grainy shots of his early life, when he was interested in theater, or a distant shot of him skiing on vacation. Even with Il Papa, human is good.
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•THE COMPLETE CALVIN & HOBBES, BOOK 1 by Bill Watterson, (Andrews McMeel Publishing, $90)
Most coffee-table books, frankly, are too big. This one isn't big enough, because it's so not fair that Bill Watterson stopped drawing one of the four or five best comic strips of modern times. Young Calvin and his stuffed tiger Hobbes remind us here, as they used to remind us daily, that nothing matches the power or the satisfaction of the human imagination.

•CBGB & OMFUG, introduction by Hilly Kristal (Harry N. Abrams, $24.95)
CBGB has always been a place for rock artists and fans to go when all the rest of the walls were closing in. This book is a collection of black-and-white snapshots from the 30-year trip, mostly bands but also folks in the crowd, and the two groups often don't look very different. There's a shot of Bruce Springsteen at the bar and one of Mick Jagger, but the best images are bands like the Ramones leaning forward in a way that almost makes you swear the pages are singing.
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•GOING FOR THE BRONZE: Still Bitter, More Baggage by Sloane Tanen (Bloomsbury, $14.95)
This is the second book in a droll series in which Tanen presents photos of full-colored dioramas populated by chicks fashioned out of yellow pipe cleaners. The dollhouse charm, though, is offset by the witty tableaux and captions. For instance, a pink chick, obviously home from a world tour, informs the barnyard: "I'm still Penny. Penny from the block!"

•JOHN LENNON: The New York Years by Bob Gruen (Stewart, Tabori & Chang, $29.95)
Anyone looking for the tormented John Lennon probably doesn't need this photo essay by his longtime friend Bob Gruen, who also happens to be a splendid photographer. Covering the full span of the '70s, this book catches Lennon demonstrating and arguing, but also playing pool and walking down the street and smiling rather a lot. Perhaps, the camera suggests, he enjoyed himself more than even he realized.
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•HARRY BENSON'S AMERICA by Harry Benson (Harry N. Abrams, $40)
Another year, another book for fans of Harry Benson, the son of a Glasgow zookeeper who has the Beatles to thank for bringing him to America as their pet paparazzo. Forty years on, he's still clicking away, and because most of the people he has photographed are famous, even the older pictures don't look dated. He is very fond of his subjects.

•THE AMERICAN SONGBOOK by Ken Bloom (Black Dog & Leventhal, $34.95)
As the subtitle of this book, "The Singers, the Songwriters and the Songs" suggests, "The American Songbook" is a treasure trove of material about American popular songs from the turn of the 20th century until the '60s. Biographies of the great composers and performers are supplemented by anecdotes about how some of the best-known songs were written. Exceptionally well-chosen photographs make this an endlessly pleasurable look at a newly cherished part of our heritage.
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•INSIDE HOLLYWOOD: The Greatest Celebrity Photos from Us Weekly (Wenner Books, $39.95)
The glitz-obsessed glossy presents some 400 starry pics - organized under headers like "Can You Believe They Dated?" (including Christina Applegate and Brad Pitt); "Uh-Oh Moments" (including Sarah Jessica Parker's panty peep show); "Fashion Police" (including Uma Thurman's Oscar oops) and "The End" (including Jennifer Lopez's monumental moneymaker).
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•THE ROYAL GARDENS OF EUROPE by George Plumptre (Monacelli Press, $50)
Of course, gorgeous photographs don't quite make up for not being there, but when next do you expect to visit the landscaped splendor of the park at Pavlovsk outside St. Petersburg, Russia? This is a royal tour of extraordinary gardens created by or for titled Europeans back when a crown was worth a lot more.

•SITCOM STYLE by Diana Friedman (Clarkson Potter, $29.95)
Home interiors say a lot about people who hang their hats or stash their stilettos there. And these nostalgic peeks inside more than 30 iconic TV abodes - from "I Love Lucy" to "Will & Grace" - reveal something about the way America has lived for the past half century. Plus, a shopping guide to bring boob tube touches into your home.
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•IN MY STAIRWELL by Mark Seliger (Rizzoli, $75)
Seliger hits a brick wall in this book - since 1996, when he discovered a skylit elevator shaft in a 19th century building he was renovating in Greenwich Village, he has posed against its rough surface an array of rock stars, artists, fashion types and movie stars. Two of them - Lou Reed and Matthew Barney - contribute essays to this black-and-white celebrity tribute by a photographer responsible for over 100 covers of Rolling Stone.

•A DAY IN THE LIFE OF THE AMERICAN WOMAN by Sharon Wohlmuth, Carol Saline and Dawn Sheggeby (Bulfinch Press, $35)
Shot by 50 top female photographers on April 8, 2005, "American Woman" celebrates its subjects in a collection of portraits, candids and short biographies. Capturing everyone from caregivers to career girls, politicians to performers, and survivors to spiritual leaders, the book provides an intimate peek into the diversity and vibrancy of the country's better half.
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•VANISHING ACT by Art Wolfe (Bulfinch Press, $50)
Most nature photographers strive to capture their quarry at a moment when they stand out clearly against the landscape. Art Wolfe has set himself a tougher task - to depict them when they blend into the colors that surround them. Thus he has a stunning photo of a Panamanian Golden Frog nestled inside a yellow flower and one of a snowy owl camouflaged by new snow. The animals are identified and discussed at the back. The photos themselves have meditative power.

•THE WOMAN IN THE MIRROR by Richard Avedon (Harry N. Abrams, $65)
Lucky are the ladies who were shot by the late, great Richard Avedon. Included among them in this black-and-white collection, which the legendary portrait photographer completed in the last year of his life, are an unnerved Marilyn Monroe (1957), an exuberant Tina Turner (1971), a bare Kate Moss (1996) and an assortment of regular folks whose captured expressions will fascinate the fashion photography lover on your list.

•BIRDS OF CENTRAL PARK by Cal Vornberger (Harry N. Abrams, $35)
If you ignored the title, it would be easy to imagine these vivid photographs of an extraordinary assortment of birds had been taken all over the world. But, no, they have all been shot within the 6 miles of wooded land in the center of Manhattan. The cover photo is the most famous city avian, Pale Male. The others have no names, but the photos are so powerful one can forgive Vornberger for citing Susan Sontag in his otherwise illuminating introduction.
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•SMITHSONIAN BASEBALL: Inside the World's Finest Private Collections by Stephen Wong (Smithsonian Books/HarperCollins, $29.95)
For those of us who can't afford to spend a half mil on, say, a dingy jersey boasting Joe DiMaggio's pit stains, "Smithsonian Baseball" is the next best thing. Wong, himself an avid collector of baseball memorabilia, profiles 21 of the nation's finest private collections in this beautifully photographed ode to baseball history through its various - and very valuable - tchotchkes.
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•DREAM CARS: THE BEST CARS IN THE WORLD by Andrew Frankel (Abbeville Press, $39.95)
You don't have to know a bore/stroke from a rack and pinion to appreciate this look at 50 of the sleekest and sexiest cars in history. Frankel gives a brief and snappy history of such timeless beauties as the 1907 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost and even provides specs. But it's the more than 250 color photographs - including closeup views of engines - that are sure to get car buffs all hot under their hoods.

By Sherryl Connelly, Amy DiLuna, Robert Dominguez, Joe Dziemianowicz, David Hinckley, Howard Kissel, Rebecca Louie and Celia McGee

Originally published on November 27, 2005

[GaryMrMets]

http://www.nydailynews.com/city_life/story/369058p-314021c.html

This season's top toys

By JULIAN KESNER AND CHRISSY PERSICO

While grownups turn their attention to eggnog and mistletoe, there's only one thing on kids' minds this season: toys, toys and more toys.But how to choose? Lucky for you, the Daily News' intrepid toy team has played with them all and selected 55 of the hottest dolls, games and bikes out there to help you find the perfect present for every child on your list.

Click below to read The Daily News' Holiday Toy Guide. You'll need Adobe Acrobat to view the pages.

Holiday Toy Guide

Sugar & Spice

Fun & Games

Learn & Grow

Originally published on November 27, 2005

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Paige holds an American Girl Today Doll (American Girl, $87, 8-12 years) dressed to match Paige's Chocolate Cherry Dress (American Girl, $79).

[GaryMrMets]

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A guide for the gifted
Buying tips from America’s top humorist

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Here's my holiday gift guide, comprised of real products that are actually for sale. We have purchased all of these items and subjected them to our rigorous field-testing procedure, which consists of giving them to Raul the photographer and sending him out into the field to take funny pictures of them.

It is because of this rigorous procedure that we are able to offer you our Holiday Gift Guide Pledge of Guaranteed Quality Assurance:

We hereby pledge that if you buy an item featured in the Holiday Gift Guide, and you are for any reanson not 100% completely satisfied with it, then don't say we didn't warn you.

MUSICAL FUNKY TOILET[/NB]
$12.95 plus shipping and handling from Spilsbury, 3650 Milwaukee St. P.O. Box 8922, Madison, WI 53708-8922, (800) 772-1760 or (800) 285-8619, www.spilsbury.com

Suggested by Sue Doughtie of Buffalo, N.Y.

Ordinarily we do not include "gag" gifts in the Holiday Gift Guide, because most of them are, frankly, stupid. But every now and then we come across one that is different - one that makes us sit up and remark: "Wow! This one is REALLY stupid!"

Such is the case with the Musical Funky Toilet, a miniature toilet powered by three AA batteries, which may actually be a good thing, because when you put them in and open the toilet lid, the toilet contents - yes, the toilet has contents, with little eyeballs - perform a funky musical dance.

The promotional material states that this gag is "guaranteed to get a laugh every time." That is why this is the Official Presidential Novelty Gift presented to all dignitaries who visit the White House.

[B]MUSICAL ENTRY: "SONGS TO MAKE DOGS HAPPY!"
$13.99 plus shipping and handling from Amazon, www.amazon.com

Suggested by Brenda Bain of Memphis, Tenn., and Drew Harchick of Pittsburgh, Pa.

This is a CD of songs for dogs. According to the advertisement on the Internet - and if we cannot trust advertisements on the Internet, what CAN we trust? - this CD is, quote, "the first qualitatively and quantitatively researched musical CD, based upon 200 canine participants' decisions as to what THEY would like to hear in songs!"

You read that correctly: This musical CD has been researched qualitatively AND quantitatively. Just TRY to find another selection of songs for dogs that can make that claim.

FOREST FACES
$12.99-$19.99 plus shipping and handling, from Merrifield Garden Center, 8132 Lee Highway (P.O. Box 848), Merrifield, VA 22116, (877) 560-6222, www.merrifieldgardencente.com.

Suggested by someone who would prefer to remain anonymous because he or she received one of these as a gift.

Trees are nice, as far as they go. But the problem with trees, as the late Ronald Reagan once said when he was alive, is that if you've seen one, you've seen them all. Or possibly it was not the late Ronald Reagan who said that. But whoever it was, he or she had a point. That's why we're so excited about Forest Faces. Each Forest Face is a set of facial features that you attach to a tree, thus transforming it from a boring, stiff, lifeless lump into a tree with a vibrant personality, like the ones that threw apples at Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz."

PAJAMAS FOR DOGS
$18.99-$24.99 plus shipping and handling from Care-A-Lot Pet Supply, 1617 Diamond Springs Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23455, (800) 343-7680, www.carealotpets.com

Suggested by Martin Tracey of Miami.

For years, thoughtful dog owners have been putting sweaters on their dogs for outdoor wear. But what about indoor wear? What about BEDTIME wear? It is a sad but true fact that every night, all over this so-called "caring" nation, literally millions of dogs go to bed naked. For these unfortunate animals, there is no more thoughtful gift this holiday season than a pair of these quality dog pajamas. We guarantee that when you put these PJs on your dog, it's going to give you a very special look - one that says, "Some night, when you least expect it, I will rip out your throat."

SPRAY-ON MUD
$12.95 plus shipping and handling from Sprayonmud Limited, York House, 20 Shoplatch, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY1 1HN, United Kingdom; www.sprayonmud.com; U.S. orders: sprayonmud.us/index.html

Suggested by Betty Salwak of Indianapolis, Ind., and Mike Leone of Helena, Mont.

Millions of Americans own SUVs that have rugged "off-road" capabilities, as illustrated in TV commercials wherein these vehicles climb mountains, ford rivers, run down and kill wildebeests, etc. Unfortunately, most of these SUV-owning Americans live in the suburbs, which means that if they ever actually did drive off the road, they would be on somebody's lawn. What these people need is Spray-on Mud, which comes in a convenient can. Now, when you return home from an outing with your car all muddied up, your neighbors will think you were driving through rugged back country, even though you were actually parked at Mattress Outlet World.

FLAVOR SPRAY
$5.95 per flavor plus shipping and handling from David Burke's Flavor Spray Diet, P.O. Box 298, Cliffside Park, NJ 07010, (718) 793-SPRAY(7772), www.flavorspraydiet.com

Suggested by Claire Martin of Denver, Colo.

Why do we eat fattening foods? Because they taste good. This is why we never, ever, while watching football, say: "Let's call up Celery Hut and have a big bunch of celery delivered!" No, we want pizza, because pizza is dripping with fat. And that's the problem: If you want flavor, you have to eat food that makes YOU fat. Until now! Because now you can get Flavor Spray, which contains no calories, no carbohydrates and no fat, and comes in many flavors, including chocolate fudge, bacon, marshmallow and teriyaki.

Barry's gift guide continues next week.

Originally published on December 2, 2005

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[GaryMrMets]

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Feed the craving!
Here's our annual roundup of box sets
for the music lovers in your life

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'Tis the season for music obsessives. Anyone eager to hear six different versions of the same Miles Davis track or savor the most obscure girl-group song in history is in luck. This year's bulky box sets give you all that plus, naturally, much, much more, all marketed hard in these last gift-giving weeks of the year. Below, we assess the best - or maybe just the biggest - out now:

MILES DAVIS
"The Cellar Door Sessions 1970"
(Legacy)
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Miles Davis: 'The Cellar Door Sessions 1970'

Miles Davis' restless brand of jazz seldom rocked harder than it did on "The Cellar Door Sessions." Cut in December 1970 at the club of that name in Washington, D.C., the recordings find a stalwart anchor on the funky bass lines of Michael Henderson and the voracious drum patterns of Jack DeJohnette. On top lie squirrely keyboard solos from Keith Jarrett, explosive sax workouts from Gary Bartz, and the painterly trumpet work of Davis himself.

This version of Davis' group came together soon after the icon forged an entirely new genre - jazz-fusion - on 1969's "*****es Brew." The "Cellar" sessions feature a somewhat different lineup from that on "Brew," one informed by more speed and force.

Just one word of warning: It may strike some as overkill that the box's six disks often feature different versions of the same material. But there is surprising variety in places. The most distinctive recordings turn up on the fifth and sixth discs, the only ones to include fiery guitarist John McLaughlin.

Of course, fans who soaked up every nuance of earlier exhaustive takes on material from "*****es Brew," "In a Silent Way" and "Jack Johnson" will probably find even "Cellar's" smallest improvisational deviations crucial and distinct.

BARBRA STREISAND
"The Television Specials"
(Warner Strategic Marketing)
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Decades of gauzy music, slick movies and obvious politics have blinded many to the innovation, wit and daring that marked the first 10 years of Barbra Streisand's career.

For a smart corrective, check out this box. It brings together Streisand's five TV specials, which ran between 1965 and 1973. In no other medium did the early breadth of Streisand's ambition come together more seamlessly. And never were her skills woven together more beautifully than in her first program, "My Name Is Barbra," from late 1964. Under the visionary direction of Joe Leyton, "Name" features surreal sets, clever choreography and a performance to die for.

Its followup, 1966's "Color Me Barbra," doubled as one of the nation's first color broadcasts. Streisand made the most of it by filming a dazzling sequence in the Philadelphia's Museum of Art.

The next year, Streisand gave a historic 2 1/2 -hour free concert in New York, which is summarized in the 50-minute "A Happening in Central Park." Here the normally concert-phobic star shows what power she could once muster live.

The most obscure of the specials is 1968's "Belle of 14th Street," a too-precious nod to vaudeville that has never before been available.

The box concludes with 1973's "And Other Musical Instruments." A proto-world beat extravaganza, it finds Streisand performing her hits alongside Scottish bag pipes, African percussionists and a Waring blender. It's a stretch that eventually becomes an indulgence. But until it does, it captures Babs before she turned into a bore.

DONOVAN
"Try for the Sun"
(Epic/Legacy)
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Because he wrote songs that serenaded starfish and flowers, people tend to view Donovan as a hippie ditz permanently pickled in patchouli. But don't let his airy '60s spirit limit your view of his sprawling talent.

Donovan's quadruple set, which houses three audio CDs and one DVD, makes a solid case for the breadth of his musicality, the depth of his hit catalogue, and the remarkable consistency of even his B material. Among its 60 tracks there's rarely a bum one. They range from Donovan's first single (1965's aching "Catch the Wind," which now appears in a Volvo ad) to his fluid 2004 redo of "Happiness Runs" (recently a plug for Delta Airlines).

The commercial quality of Donovan's tunes explains their frequent use as advertising jingles (going back to "Wear Your Love Like Heaven," which was used to sell a '60s perfume). But that doesn't detract from his songs' craft or variety. It's amazing that the same man wrote a funky classic like "Season of the Witch," as well as a jangle pop confection like "Jennifer Juniper" and the proto-heavy metal "Hurdy Gurdy Man" (which featured members of the future Led Zeppelin).

Donovan's sound touched on every trend of the '60s, from his early troubadour acoustic pieces (which turned him into England's teeny pop answer to Bob Dylan) to hard rockers like "Barabajagal" (cut with Jeff Beck's first group). Timed with the 40th anniversary of Donovan's first hit, this set makes a solid case for his music as not cartoonish, but classic.

GRATEFUL DEAD
"Fillmore West 1969"
(Rhino)
&
JERRY GARCIA
"Garcia Plays Bob Dylan" (Rhino)

For my money, the Dead never released a more expert or erudite set than their "Live Dead" album from late 1969. Clearly others agree, because Rhino just dug up hours of extra recordings from the shows - held on Feb. 27 and March 2, 1969, at San Francisco's most famous hall - that yielded the historic album.

While the original LP housed just seven tracks, this edition bumps up the tally to 18. Some of the jams stretch on longer than a Bollywood musical. But since editing has never been the Dead's strongpoint (or its fans' desire), it's terrific to have so much more to savor from one of rock's most expansive outfits.

Also of interest is "Garcia Plays Dylan," which corrals into a double CD the guitarist's career-long flair for playing songs of the Great Bard. It's entirely comprised of live Dylan covers cut between 1973 and 1995, most of which feature Garcia's solo band, with offshoots into his side project, Legions of Mary, and some trips back to the Dead mother ship.

Sweet moments abound, like a nine-minute "Tough Mama" from 1975 that features a more rollicking than usual guitar solo from Garcia. Listeners may be skeptical about Garcia's vocal abilities on these tracks - not that Dylan is exactly a songbird. Luckily, even Garcia's most wobbly interpretations give him new ways into the songs. His soft take on "Positively Fourth Street" nails the hurt beneath Dylan's rage. But Garcia's gracious guitar work usually takes center stage, illuminating Dylan's most under-saluted gift - his sense of melody.

VARIOUS ARTISTS
"Girl Group Sounds Lost and Found"
(Rhino)
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How can you erect a girl group collection without the cooperation of its greatest architect, Phil Spector? The notoriously nutty producer wouldn't license his stuff to Rhino for this four-CD set. But the compilers still managed to come up with a surprising amount of striking material.

You'll find obscure songs by the well-known (Jackie DeShannon), the semi-famous (the Blossoms) and the forgotten (the wonderfully named Fabulettes). Even the most celebrated groups - such as the Supremes and the Shirelles - aren't represented by their most cherished songs. But that winds up giving the set its own character. It also shows the high standards of the girl group era, since these pieces maintain an impressive degree of quality.

Production-wise, the records may be as tinny as something you'd hear on a transistor radio in a rainstorm. But they ring with a sense of hormonal need, not to mention a level of self-loathing brutal enough to tear at your heart. Sob sister rock doesn't get more exhilarating.

BILL WITHERS
"Just As I Am"
and
NINA SIMONE
"The Soul of Nina Simone"
(Legacy)

Okay, technically they're not box sets. But these two DualDiscs would make sensational stocking stuffers for any music fan with taste.

Withers' brand of folk-soul has influenced everyone from India.Arie to Anthony Hamilton, though no one has yet imitated his particular funky take on the amalgam. His 1971 debut CD features his classic single "Ain't No Sunshine" as well as a version of the Beatles' "Let It Be" that miraculously escapes the looming shadow of the original. The disk's video half features a contemporary conversation with the elusive Withers as well as footage of the singer back when he made the competition, well, wither.

Nina Simone's set helps make the case that she was one of the greatest interpretive singers of all time. She applied her own brand of folk, soul and classical music to popular songs that range from the Animals' "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" to Dylan's "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues." The range of feeling and the nuance of meaning Simone wrests from the material startles every time. She's as intellectually rigorous as she is technically adept.

Simone's genius becomes even more apparent when you see her in action. Her death march stare provides the highlight of the package's eight-song video portion. Simone had an imperial bearing and an imposing gait, even in her earliest days, as seen here in her 1960 debut on "The Ed Sullivan Show."

Two songs recorded at the Bitter End in 1968 burn with feeling, but they're tepid compared with four numbers from the Harlem Festival, an all-star free show held uptown in 1969. Here Simone's political focus comes to the fore. The defiance in her demeanor makes you think she could have brought down a wall, or perhaps changed the world, just by fixing it in her gaze.

Also in stores

•RAY CHARLES "Pure Genius - The Complete Atlantic Recordings 1952-1959" (Rhino) This set of eight CDs, which houses all of Charles' Atlantic sides, comes in the most ludicrously over-the-top packaging of the year. It mimics one of those old-fashioned record players. Remember them?

•BILLY JOEL "My Lives" (Legacy) Four CDs of hits and unreleased tracks, plus a live concert DVD from the middlebrow piano man.

•VARIOUS ARTISTS "The Concert for Bangladesh" (Rhino) In this double DVD, the first disk covers the all-star 1971 benefit concert organized by George Harrison and featuring Leon Russell, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton and others. The second disk adds previously unseen performances, plus a documentary on the making of the event.

•TALKING HEADS "Brick" (Rhino) An eight-CD set of DualDiscs, including all the band's innovative studio albums on one side, with the other occupied by added tracks, alternate versions and the odd video foray.

•ELVIS PRESLEY "HISTORY" (Sony/BMG) Eighty hits from the King are compiled in this three-CD set, which features that collection of 30 No. 1 Elvis hits released a few years ago, its followup release (which packs in 29 more hits) and a third disk of Top 20 entries.

•JOHNNY CASH "The Complete Sun Recordings 1955-1958" (Time-Life) The 61 sides that kicked off Cash's career.

Originally published on December 2, 2005

[GaryMrMets]

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/story/371078p-315656c.html

It's stay indoors time!
What do Buffy, Dorothy, Garbo, Ben-Hur, Buzz Lightyear, King Kong, Norman Bates and the Dude have in common?

By GERRY PUTZER

DVDs have become the default holiday gift that will delight even the most difficult-to-please friend or loved one. There's bound to be something here for someone on your list. If not, there are always ties and scarves.

Classic Hollywood
•One of the most-requested DVDs has finally arrived: "King Kong" (Warner). The double DVD is available in two sets: a "Collector's Edition" ($26.99) containing a reproduction of the 1933 premiere program and miniature posters, all housed in a colorful metal box; or as part of "The King Kong Collection" ($39.98), which also includes the hastily prepared 1933 sequel "Son of Kong" and the 1949 favorite "Mighty Joe Young." In both sets, the original film is accompanied by TCM documentaries and commentary by future stop-motion animation master Ray Harryhausen.

•A must-have is "Garbo: The Signature Collection" (Warner, $99.92), containing 10 of Greta Garbo's most important movies, among them "Anna Christie," "Queen Christina," "Ninotchka" and the silent "Flesh and the Devil." Exclusive to the set is a new Kevin Brownlow documentary about the mysterious and fascinating beauty.

•"Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection" (Universal, $119.98) is a plush, beautifully illustrated set of all 14 Hitchcock titles in Universal's possession. While not all the thrillers here are masterpieces, "Vertigo," "Psycho" and "Rear Window" are among the greatest films ever made. Pair it up with "Alfred Hitchcock Presents: Season One" (Universal, $39.98), the first time an entire season of the master's creepy black-and-white show has been released on DVD.

•The four-disk "Ben-Hur: Collector's Edition" (Warner, $39.92) proffers not only the 11-time Oscar-winning epic in its original wide-screen format, but also the 1925 version, one of the biggest blockbusters of the silent era. The ample set includes documentaries and outtakes.

•"West Side Story," "Guys and Dolls" and "Fiddler on the Roof" were previously released on well-stocked DVDs, but Sony, the new owner of the latter-day MGM library, has reissued the three beloved classics as "American Movie Musicals Collection" which, at $35.98, is an indisputable bargain.

•"The Wizard of Oz" has also been on DVD before, but the new three-disk edition (Warner, $39.92) is the ultimate tribute to the 1939 Technicolor wonder. Among the many extras are a reproduction of the original premiere booklet and several of the earlier screen adaptations - dating back to 1910 - of L. Frank Baum's Oz tales.

•And no fan of silent cinema should be without "The Harold Lloyd Comedy Collection" (New Line, $89.95), a 28-film set (features and shorts) devoted to the bespectacled, death-defying, all-American hero.

Recent movies
•"Toy Story: 10th Anniversary Edition" (Disney, $29.99) sports enhanced picture and sound, deleted sequences and recent thoughts from creator John Lasseter.

•"The Outsiders: The Complete Novel" (Warner, $26.99) is a 22-minutes-longer version of Francis Ford Coppola's 1983 soap opera, which starred an amazing number of future stars, including Tom Cruise, Matt Dillon, Diane Lane and Rob Lowe.

•While "Fargo" got all the respect, the Coen brothers' followup, "The Big Lebowski," has become their most quoted comedy, even by fans who aren't drunk on White Russians, as the hero - the Dude - often is. The gift set (Universal, $49.98) includes photos taken on the set by star Jeff Bridges, a bowling towel and coasters.

•"Titanic: Special Edition" (Paramount, $29.99) took eight years to get here, but it's a worthwhile production, containing commentary by director James Cameron, star Kate Winslet and an alternate ending (no, Leo still dies).
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'Titanic'

•"Cinderella Man" (Universal, $29.98), Ron Howard's drama about Depression-era boxer James Braddock (Russell Crowe) comes in a double-disk set that looks like a book. Studious fans may also enjoy the documentary "Cinderella Man: The James J. Braddock Story" (Hart Sharp, $19.99).

•The 2002 Best Picture winner returns in "Chicago: The Razzle-Dazzle Edition" (Miramax, $34.99), offering extended musical numbers, song rehearsals and lots of stuff about the original Broadway production.

•Eighties filmmaking marvel John Hughes is repped by "The Brat Pack Movies and Music Collection" (Universal, $39.98), which includes "The Breakfast Club," "Sixteen Candles" and "Weird Science," plus a CD of songs from various Hughes films.

TV SETS
•The top must-haves are ABC's two breakout hits from last season: "Lost: Season One" (Touchstone, $59.99), featuring an extended pilot episode, and "Desperate Housewives: The Complete First Season" (Touchstone, $59.99), which sports uncensored extended episodes and an alternate ending to the season finale.

•"CSI: NY - The First Season" (Paramount, $65.99) includes the first 24 episodes of the crime-scene mystery spin-off starring Gary Sinise and Melina Kanakaredes.

•"Beavis & Butt-head: The Mike Judge Collection, Vol. 1" (Paramount, $39.99) includes 40 episodes chosen by creator Judge of the 1990s animated series about the dimwitted metalheads.
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'Beavis & Butt-head'

•The 1998 dramatic miniseries "From the Earth to the Moon" returns to disk (HBO, $99.98), this time in widescreen format and with new extras.

•"Adventures of Superman: The Complete First Season" (Warner, $39.98), starring George Reeves, will warm the heart of any baby boomer. The 26 episodes from the 1952-53 season offer genuine thrills, unlike the later, tongue-in-cheek installments.

•Completists will revel in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Chosen Collection" (Fox, $199.98), which puts all 144 episodes on 40 disks; "Friends: The One With All 10 Seasons Collection" (Warner, $299.98), boasting all 236 half hours about Rachel, Ross and the gang; and "Sex and the City: The Complete Series" (HBO, $299.95), a velvet-covered, 20-disk bit of fabulousness.

•And for something that's still completely different and impossible to emulate, there's "The Complete Monty Python's Flying Circus 16-Ton Megaset" (A&E, $199.95), with all 45 episodes of the British series, the rare "German episode" and two "Monty Python Live!" disks.

Sound advice
•Pop-rock's greatest songwriter of the past 30 years gets a nice career overview in "The Right Spectacle: The Very Best of Elvis Costello - The Videos" (Rhino, $19.99). It boasts 27 songs from 1978 to 1994.

•Costello's fellow Brit Peter Gabriel is seen and heard in the recent concert DVD "Still Growing Up - Live and Unwrapped" (Rhino, $29.99), while Gabriel's former band is showcased in "Genesis: The Video Show" (Rhino, $19.99).

•A rarity that has surfaced is George Harrison's "Concert for Bangladesh" (Rhino, $49.99), the ex-Beatle's 1971 all-star concert for South Asian famine relief.

•Not to be missed is "The Who: Tommy and Quadrophenia Live With Special Guests" (Rhino, $34.99), which includes a 1989 Los Angeles performance of the Who's 1969 rock opera "Tommy" and a 1996 performance-and-film-clip rendition of the group's 1973's epic "Quadrophenia."

•Vintage performances from soul and R&B legends are on view in "Motortown Gold on 'The Ed Sullivan Show'" (Sofa/Ventura, $24.95).

For specific tastes
•Nicolas Roeg's 1976 "The Man Who Fell to Earth" is back on DVD in a director's cut (Criterion, $39.95) that should place this forgotten futuristic masterpiece up where it belongs.

•Martial arts lovers will revel in "Rebel Samurai: Sixties Swordplay Classics" (Criterion, $99.95), a four-film set of Japanese action pictures from the 1960s. Jump into the '70s for "The Pinky Violence Collection" (Panik House, $99.95), which is sure to be under Quentin Tarantino's Christmas tree; it contains four Japanese sex-and-violence epics with titles like "Delinquent Girl Boss: Worthless to Confess."

•Federico Fellini's 1960 "La Dolce Vita," a cornerstone of foreign arthouse cinema, returns in a three-disk deluxe edition (Koch Lorber, $79.98) with new extras, a 40-page booklet and glossy photos and mini posters.

•"Vibe Fox in a Box" (Sony/MGM, $29.95) gathers three Pam Grier actioners - "Coffy," "Foxy Brown" and "Sheba, Baby" - and has hip-hop stars talking about the bodacious blaxploitation star.

•And great bodies of a more limber variety are on display in "Cirque du Soleil: The Anniversary Collection" (Sony, $135.95), a 12-disk box containing the French circus' various shows from 1984 to 2004.

Originally published on December 4, 2005

[GaryMrMets]

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/story/371079p-315657c.html

Set the controls...
Are you ready for some serious seasonal mayhem?

By MICHAEL DONAHOE

Must-buys
•Resident Evil 4 (PS2-Capcom) The reigning house of horror takes up residency on the PS2 to spread its freakish frights to an even wider audience. But don't think this is just a retread: There are a few extra scares (new costumes, weapons and an exclusive side-mission featuring the ever elusive Ada) to make this worthwhile for both PS2 newcomers and GameCube survivors.

•Guitar Hero (PS2-Red Octane) Get ready to rock! With the aid of a life-size guitar controller, this music game gives artless musicians a chance to tame the infamous six-stringed monster. And with more than 30 rock classics to bang your head to (the bands range from metal maniacs Pantera to classic crooners Boston), Guitar Hero will transform you into a guitar god.

•Shadow of Colossus (PS2-SCEA) Slicing up innumerable beasts is regular fodder in most video games. But try tackling skyscraper-size monsters who make King Kong look like Curious George and you're in for a colossal predicament. Shadow of the Colossus is a wild ride that shouldn't be missed - if you can hang on, that is.

Racing & crashing
•Burnout Revenge (PS2, Xbox-EA) Smash into realistic racers with a game that not only incorporates bad driving, but encourages it. Made famous for its destructive "crash mode," Burnout Revenge proves you don't need a license to cause painful pileups.

•Jak X: Combat Racing (PS2-SCEA) Jak takes a break from daily heroics to partake in some not-so-friendly racing combat. Fans of the series should appreciate the deadly diversion from his ho-hum platforming.

•Project Gotham Racing 3 (Xbox 360-Microsoft) Microsoft's checkered-flagship racing series zooms onto the Xbox 360. Gearheads will want to buckle up for this stunning racer that looks almost as good as the car you wish you had.

Sports
•WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW 2006 (PS2-THQ) The bronze beefcakes of the WWE pump up this annual PS2 entry. Featuring a newly fleshed-out General Manager Mode and oodles of greasy men in spandex, SVR 2006 is an easy 1-2-3 for wrestling buffs.

•NBA 2K6 (PS2, Xbox, Xbox 360-2K Sports) With so many different ballers on the court, sinking a gaming bucket takes some practice. But experience NBA 2K6's superior realism and innovative Shot Stick and you'll see why it slam-dunks over the competition.

•Blitz: The League (PS2, Xbox-Midway) Madden no longer has a lock on the gridiron, thanks to this pigskin newcomer. Sure, Blitz may not feature licensed teams, but its in-your-face arcade action is a welcome addition to the field.

Action adventure
•Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones (PC, PS2, Xbox, GameCube-Ubisoft) Prance around with the Prince in the third installment of his time-traveling saga. New stealth kills add to the already acrobatic arsenal of pain, while plenty of puzzles break up the punishment.

•Star Wars: Battlefront 2 (PC, PS2, Xbox-LucasArts) The last "Star Wars" movie may already be far, far away, but that doesn't mean you can't relive all your favorite galactic space battles today. And now that you can play as the prized Jedi, "Star Wars" nuts will have another reason to light their sabers.

•The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction (PS2, Xbox-VU Games) Take out your pent-up aggression with the jolly green giant. Massive free-roaming levels provide you with the freedom to smash, bash and trash anything you can get your grubby green hands on.
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The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction

Shooters
•F.E.A.R. (PC-VU Games) Looking for a little fright with your firefights? Then load up your gun, turn off your lights and face your fears with this spooky military shooter.

•Call of Duty 2 (PC, Xbox 360-Activision) World War II may never end in video game land. But until World War III hits, continue to do your duty by nullifying Nazis in the sequel to the best war game on the battlefield.

•Quake 4 (PC, Xbox 360-Activision) As with Doom 3, you'll be spraying lead into a plethora of grisly baddies. But unlike its devilish cousin, Quake 4 brings vehicular combat and a meatier multiplayer to the killing table.

For kids
•Shadow the Hedgehog (PS2, Xbox, GameCube-Sega) Sonic's seemingly evil antithesis stars in his own action-heavy game. Choose between two story paths that let you decide whether to make Shadow a holy or hellish hedgehog.

•The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (PC, PS2, Xbox, GameCube-Buena Vista Games) After dragging your youngsters to the new flick, let them save Narnia from the wicked White Witch at home. All their favorite characters from the movie (lions, witches and, um, wardrobes) are included in the fantasy fun.

•The Incredibles: Rise of the Underminer (PC, PS2, Xbox, GameCube-THQ) Take control of Mr. Incredible or Frozone as you drill the Underminer to the ground. Two-player cooperative action makes this the perfect buddy brawler.

Portable
•Mario Kart DS (DS-Nintendo) Mario and the Mushroom gang bring their kart-riding antics onto the DS. Chuck shells at your pals using WI-FI or burn rubber online. But any way you play, it's a real winner.

•Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow (DS-Konami) Dracula just won't die! Maybe that's not such a bad thing, considering that portable Castlevania games never seem to age. And Dawn of Sorrow doesn't look to kill the popularity anytime soon.

•Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (PSP-Rockstar) Return to the famous streets of Liberty City as you do what criminals do best: commit crimes. And thanks to the PSP, you can now do dastardly deeds wherever you please.

Originally published on December 4, 2005

[GaryMrMets]

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ideas_opinions/story/373449p-317495c.html

Guide for the gifted
More buying tips from America's top humorist

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Here's my holiday gift guide, comprised of real products that are actually for sale. We have purchased all of these items and subjected them to our rigorous field-testing procedure, which consists of giving them to Raul the photographer and sending him out into the field to take funny pictures of them.

It is because of this rigorous procedure that we are able to offer you our Holiday Gift Guide Pledge of Guaranteed Quality Assurance:

We hereby pledge that if you buy an item featured in the Holiday Gift Guide, and you are for any reason not 100% completely satisfied with it, then don't say we didn't warn you.

SINKING TITANIC SHIP MODEL
$39.95 plus shipping and handling from Transportation Hobby Collectibles Online/Singular Selections E-Stores, PMB 66, 6470 Freetown Road, Suite 200, Columbia, MD 21044, (800) 372-7299, www.thconline.com/index.html
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- Suggested by A. King of Bologna, Italy

What is more fun for a youngster than playing with a toy ship in a bathtub or pool? We'll tell you what: playing with a toy ship that realistically simulates the sinking of an ocean liner resulting in more than a thousand deaths! And that's exactly what this amazing toy does. You touch a button, and a big iceberg gash opens up in the hull, and ... Down she goes!

ELECTRIC MARSHMALLOW TOASTER
$19.95 plus shipping and handling from Wishingfish.com Inc., 1014 Pico Blvd., Suite No. 3, Santa Monica, CA 90405, (877) 785-3914, www.wishingfish.com .

Roasted marshmallows are a fun treat and an important nutritional source of sugar. The problem is the backbreaking labor involved.

You barely have enough strength to raise your Hershey bar to your lips.

But not anymore. Not when you have this automatic marshmallow roasting device, which harnesses the amazing power of AA batteries (not included) to operate an electric motor that actually turns your marshmallows for you. That's right, we said "marshmallows," plural, because this baby can rotate THREE marshmallows at a time.

KISS CELEBRIDUCKS
$24.95 plus shipping and handling from The KISS Museum, 3140-B Tilghman St. No. 305, Allentown, PA 18104, fax: (610) 351-5348, www.kissmuseum.com (click on "Dolls" link)

- Suggested by Lee Michalak of Medford, Ore.

Every once in a while, two entirely different things come together to form something new and wonderful. Peanut butter and jelly. Abbott and Costello. Ham and eggs. The list goes on and on. This gift concept is another example of this phenomenon. What probably happened was this: Some marketing people were sitting around a conference table, trying to "brainstorm" an idea for a product, and they got into an argument. On one side was a guy saying, "We need to put out a product that would appeal to fans of the legendary rock band Kiss." On the other side was a guy saying, "No! We need to put out a product that can be used as a bath toy!" And then, just when it looked as though they had reached a stalemate, they decided to ingest powerful narcotics. The result is the Kiss Celebriducks, a set of four rubber ducks shaped vaguely like the members of Kiss.

They go with pretty much any bathroom decor, and make a fun and educational toy for anybody except children younger than 21.

SCROLLING LED BELT BUCKLE
$29.99 plus shipping and handling from Brain Buster Enterprises LLC, 349 Broadway, 9th floor, New York, NY 10013; available online only at www.scrollingbuckle.com .

- Suggested by Bryce Donovan of Charleston, S.C.

Men, ask yourself this question: How does actor Brad Pitt manage to get hooked up with so many fine ladies? What does he have that YOU don't have?

The answer is: A scrolling electronic belt buckle. Ask any woman on the planet Earth what is the first thing she notices in a man, and she will answer, "Why, his belt buckle, of course!" That is why Brad, and so many other guys who "score" with the babes, would not go anywhere, including the beach, without first strapping on this product.

This is an amazing hunk of wearable technology that can be programmed to display a scrolling message of up to 256 characters, such as "CAN YOU IMAGINE WHAT KIND OF PATHETIC LOSER WOULD ACTUALLY WEAR THIS?"

POOP-FREEZE
$9.85 plus shipping and handling from PetVetDirect, (888) 738-8383, www.petvetdirect.com .

- Suggested by Julie Luther of Madison, Wis.

It's a problem every dog owner faces: What do you do when your dog deposits a massive steaming pile of dog emissions on the sidewalk?

The right thing to do - and, in most municipalities, the legally required thing to do - is of course to look around in a furtive manner, then sprint away.

No! Sorry! The right thing to do is clean up after your dog. And here's a product designed to help. Poop-Freeze, according to the manufacturer, is "a specially formulated aerosol freeze spray that, upon contact, forms a frosty film on dog (or cat ) poop to harden the surface for easy pickup."

Easy ... and fun! In fact, if you have an especially productive dog, you could celebrate the holidays by making your own special version of Frosty the Snowman!

Okay, just forget that we said that.

Originally published on December 9, 2005

[GaryMrMets]

http://www.nydailynews.com/city_life/story/373461p-317503c.html

Give paws for holiday

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Mysteries, love stories, survival themes, photo journals, how-to's, exercise and training manuals and preparing food - all about pets and near-pets - are falling off bookstore shelves this year. Here is a list of publications to ponder while you wonder how all that snow is going to melt.

•"The Gift of Nothing" (Little Brown, $14.99). Animal-loving cartoonist Patrick McDonnell uses his beloved Mutts comic strip characters to introduce kids of all ages to the gift of giving. The simple, yet whimsical tale focuses on Mooch the cat's search to find the perfect gift for his friend Earl, the dog who has everything. But Mooch ultimately realizes the ultimate gift for someone who has everything is actually nothing - letting someone know you're thinking about them is gift enough.

•"Miracle Dog" (Alpine Books, $19.95) by Randy Grim, is a passionate story about an unlikely hero and a dog that refused to die in St. Louis' city pound gas chamber. Quentin, a Basenji-mix with oversized ears, survived euthanasia, and his story was told to spread a message of compassion to the world. Grim, founder of Stray Rescue of St. Louis, who suffered from panic attacks and avoided going out in public, tells how he has overcome his phobias and how he devoted his life to saving strays.
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•"Woof" (Chronicle Books, $22.95). Legendary photographer and famed dog lover Elliott Erwitt may be best known for his iconic Cold War shot of Vice President Richard Nixon poking a finger in the chest of Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev. In "Woof," however, Erwitt captures his love for dogs. The book features new photographs, with a couple of old favorites.
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•"Planet Dog, A Doglopedia" (Houghton Mifflin, $14.95), by Sandra and Harry Charon, features tips, trivia, and facts about raising, loving and living in a canine world. The encyclopedic-style tome offers 300 lists ranging from "How to read your dog's body language" to "five dogs who changed the course of history," which means there's a little something for everyone to chew on.

•"Christmas Cats: A Literary Companion" (Chamberlain Bros., $9.95); edited by Shirley Rousseau Murphy. The anthology features a collection of heartwarming poems, stories and essays highlighting cats at Christmas. Included are classics by writers James Herriot, Cleveland Amory and Willie Morris, as well as 11 original stories by noted contemporary animal writers.

•Does anything really beat a hand-knit sweater? In "Knitting for Dogs: Irresistible Patterns for Your Favorite Pup - And You!" (Fireside/Simon and Schuster, $14.95), knitter Kristi Porter provides more than 20 easy-to-follow patterns, from a sequined sweater and cardigan for pooches of all sizes to an everyday shoulder bag and accessories for stylish humans.
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•In "Pet Cleanup Made Easy: Tackle Any Pet Mess, Any Time, in a Snap - from Stains and Smells to Fleas and Furballs" (Adams Media Corp., $9.95), the title says it all. Cleaning guru Don Aslett offers tips and techniques to tackle all kinds of messes, but doesn't stop there. Aslett also offers good suggestions for house training and stinky litter boxes, and covers topics from shedding, bathing, flea control and pet-proofing the house to preventing furniture damage.

•"Cooking the Three Dog Bakery Way" (Broadway Books, $14), by canine cuisine pioneers Mark Beckloff and Dan Dye, teaches us how to cook up healthy dog treats, with an emphasis on simplicity. Included are 60 quick-bake recipes with names like PupOvers, Yip Yap Banana Snaps, Biscotti Bites and Labrador Lasagna, and tips for keeping your pooch from packing on the pounds.

•"Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats, 3rd Edition" (Rodale, $18.95), is a newly updated guide by veterinarian Richard Pitcairn and his wife Susan Hubble Pitcairn. The duo, noted specialists in chemical-free nutrition and natural healing for pets, offer up specific instructions for preventing, diagnosing, and treating a wide range of animal diseases and disorders - with special attention to homeopathic, herbal, and nutritional remedies along with recipes for healthy food treats.

•"It's a Zoo Out There" (Bullfinch Press, $39.95), features a menagerie of delicious animal portraits by celebrated photographer Rachael Hale, author of "101 Salivations" and "101 Cataclysms." From a sleeping lion cub named Rio and the quietly amused gaze of a camel named Barbie are among the 101 color photographs that celebrate many of nature's magnificent creatures, large and small.

•"March of the Penguins" (National Geographic Society, $30). The sleeper hit movie is now a book that boasts 150 color photographs by cinematographer Jerome Maison and filmmaker Luc Jacquet during their 13 arduous months in Antarctica. Jacquet takes readers along on the journey as 7,000 Emperor Penguins trek hundreds of miles through gale-force winds across frozen Antarctica - all to create a safe haven for their babies. A special appendix features behind-the-scenes photos and the story of the film itself.

•"The 12 Dogs of Christmas" ($12.99), a best-selling children's book based on 7-year-old Emma Kagen's love of dogs and Christmas, is now on DVD. The book, really a takeoff on the song "The 12 Days of Christmas," is great for young tykes 4 years and under. The DVD is a wonderful tale for the older kids - up to and including grandmas and grandpas.

•Did you just get a new puppy and have completely no idea how to train the cute little thing? Well, September Morn, author of "Your Happy Healthy Pet" ($12.99, Howell Book House), has all the answers for you, from the early days when you run for it, to the formative and later years when it's happy to run for you. One caption that caught the eye was the one describing a young piddling Weimarainer with the words: "Teaching your dog to eliminate on command will make both your lives a lot easier." Amen.

Compiled by Amy Sacks and Sam Papa

Send us your holiday pet cards

With the Chanukah, Kwanzaa and Christmas seasons upon us, it's also time for you to send us your greeting cards for inclusion in the CRITTERS Page on Dec. 24, two weeks from today.

Make sure you include yourself, your honey or your kids in the picture with, most important of all, your pet or pets.

If needed, CRITTERS will run a second page of Greeting Cards after the New Year.

Send your cards to:

Holiday Critters, c/o Sam Papa, Daily News Critters Page, 450 W. 33rd St., New York, N.Y. 10001.

Thanks to all for your support and kind words. Have a safe and happy holiday.

Originally published on December 10, 2005