Great Film Gifts for your Boyfriend/Husband
March 6th 2007 22:04
While men agonize over buying the perfect present for their girlfriends and wives, women have it comparatively easy. Sure, you're all great at finding really meaningful, thoughtful presents, but when stuck for a gift idea, a box of DVDs will certainly keep us happy enough.
Women, then, have trouble picking an appropriate collection of movies, but that, too, is remarkably simple. The average man likes a heavy combination of violence, sports, car chases, nudity and slapstick.
For the Geek:
While the easy answer is just to buy him the Star Wars collection, the sad truth is that he's probably already got it. Multiple copies, even. Your perfect gift should overwhelm them with the infinite possibilities of space-time.
I suggest Red Dwarf, Season 3 and 4. A show about the last human in the universe, aimlessly cruising the galaxy with a hologram of his least favourite friend, an android and a highly evolved cat makes for great times on the couch. It's all comedy, with a smattering of BBC-type violence.
Additionally, throw in the 1979 Disney sci-fi flick The Black Hole for nostalgia, and Lifeforce, an 80s movie about nude space vampires, and your boyfriend may just look at you with a new appreciation.
JohnDoe recommends: Free Enterprise, a Trekkie/Swingers mash, and Heavy Metal, a cartoon for dirty adults.
DuskDevi recommends: The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes, a 60s computer movie with Kurt Russell. Ha! Ha ha ha!
Violence: Check! Space is a dangerous place...
Sports: They mention football in Red Dwarf on occasion.
Car Chases: Yes, if by car, you mean spaceship.
Nudity: Ahem - nude space vampires. Zing!
Slapstick: A big check.
For the Frat Boy:
He's already got Animal House, so you need to scour a little further...
Get him Hamburger: The Motion Picture, a ridiculous movie about a guy that goes to a college to learn hamburger science. They must've been cashing in on the McDonalds craze.
Frat guys like quotable movies, like Zoolander, so that they repeat the lines over and over with their frat brothers, as they chug beers and scream 'Wooooo!'. But you can't buy them Zoolander - they've already got one signed by all the 'dudes' from the movie.
Instead, get him The Tao of Steve, a small-budget flick that teaches fat guys how to get girls, and Me, Myself and Irene, a mediocre flick with this memorable line:
And, in case he's missing it, throw in Super Troopers, the 2000s equivalent of college idiots making bigger idiots of themselves - brilliantly.
JohnDoe recommends: Porky's, the notorious Canadian movie that made locker rooms so inviting, and Better Off Dead, a young John Cusack flick.
Violence: Jim Carrey beats up himself, but you wish you could help out.
Sports: Hamburger is full of hamburger-related sports, kind of.
Car Chases: Me, Myself and Irene: cops running away from cops.
Nudity: Comedies made in the 80s are a big Check on this one.
Slapstick: Comedy. 80s. It's almost like they didn't have sarcasm back then.
For the Player:
He's got the James Bond collection and you don't know what's left that he can appreciate, when he's not wearing those stupid sunglasses in the club, or ordering bottle service.
It's tough, because he'd obviously prefer to cheat on you rather than watch DVDs, but on the outside chance that you scored an honest player (?), get him:
Booty Call, one of Jamie Foxx's early movies, before he became an 'actor' and started taking over award shows. Great quotable lines, twisted story and satisfying romance theme. Select line:
(watching a male Rhino mount a female) Wax that 3000 pound ass!
In Like Flint, a Bond-ripoff featuring James Coburn trying to prevent a group of women from taking over the world. It's not Bond, but it is laughable.
From Beijing With Love, one of Stephen Chow's most loved films, about a Chinese James Bond - but in total slapstick.
Violence: Spy movies always have violence. Otherwise, they'd just be guys in the shadows.
Sports: Espionage is a sport - of sorts.
Car Chases: Yes!
Nudity: Uncertain.
Slapstick:Yes!
JohnDoe recommends: Alfie, Michael Caine is a big-time player, and The Assignment, a spy movie that's all action.
DuskDevi reminds us that Fletch is a hilarious undercover movie, featuring Chevy Chase as a reporter that is definitely not a player.
For the Sports Fan:
Sports movies are usually very predictable, since the 'good' team rarely loses, no matter how tense the final slow motion scene is.
Nonetheless, there's something so compelling about seeing a good one, and it's one of the few times that men will allow themselves to get teary.
First, I recommend Slapshot, a legendary hockey movie from 1977, which made the Hanson Brothers into household names. Paul Newman stars as the player coach, and it's a half-satire on the thuggish nature of hockey.
Then Rudy, one of those little-guy-makes-the-big-team movies. Basically, a little guy makes the big team. Who is the little guy? None other than Sean 'I'm coming Mr. Frodo' Astin aka Samwise Gamgee. Also starring Jon Favreau and Ned Beatty, this is an American football movie that'll pull at your boyfriend's icy heart.
Last, why not get Rollerball, the 1975 film that satirizes sports culture, and predicts a future where corporations rule the world. Sort of like now, but with more violence in the sports. Oh, wait, we've got Rugby. Oh, ok...
Violence: Is there anything more violent than sports? War? Hunh. What is it good for?
Sports: That's all this is, baby.
Car Chases: Er, no. But hockey players chase each other around the rink.
Nudity: A little. Nothing to get steamed up about.
Slapstick: Men on skates? There's plenty of room for physical comedy here...
Women, then, have trouble picking an appropriate collection of movies, but that, too, is remarkably simple. The average man likes a heavy combination of violence, sports, car chases, nudity and slapstick.
For the Geek:
While the easy answer is just to buy him the Star Wars collection, the sad truth is that he's probably already got it. Multiple copies, even. Your perfect gift should overwhelm them with the infinite possibilities of space-time.
I suggest Red Dwarf, Season 3 and 4. A show about the last human in the universe, aimlessly cruising the galaxy with a hologram of his least favourite friend, an android and a highly evolved cat makes for great times on the couch. It's all comedy, with a smattering of BBC-type violence.
Additionally, throw in the 1979 Disney sci-fi flick The Black Hole for nostalgia, and Lifeforce, an 80s movie about nude space vampires, and your boyfriend may just look at you with a new appreciation.
JohnDoe recommends: Free Enterprise, a Trekkie/Swingers mash, and Heavy Metal, a cartoon for dirty adults.
DuskDevi recommends: The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes, a 60s computer movie with Kurt Russell. Ha! Ha ha ha!
Violence: Check! Space is a dangerous place...
Sports: They mention football in Red Dwarf on occasion.
Car Chases: Yes, if by car, you mean spaceship.
Nudity: Ahem - nude space vampires. Zing!
Slapstick: A big check.
For the Frat Boy:
He's already got Animal House, so you need to scour a little further...
Get him Hamburger: The Motion Picture, a ridiculous movie about a guy that goes to a college to learn hamburger science. They must've been cashing in on the McDonalds craze.
Frat guys like quotable movies, like Zoolander, so that they repeat the lines over and over with their frat brothers, as they chug beers and scream 'Wooooo!'. But you can't buy them Zoolander - they've already got one signed by all the 'dudes' from the movie.
Instead, get him The Tao of Steve, a small-budget flick that teaches fat guys how to get girls, and Me, Myself and Irene, a mediocre flick with this memorable line:
Just because I rock, doesn't mean that I'm made out of stone, baby...
And, in case he's missing it, throw in Super Troopers, the 2000s equivalent of college idiots making bigger idiots of themselves - brilliantly.
JohnDoe recommends: Porky's, the notorious Canadian movie that made locker rooms so inviting, and Better Off Dead, a young John Cusack flick.
Violence: Jim Carrey beats up himself, but you wish you could help out.
Sports: Hamburger is full of hamburger-related sports, kind of.
Car Chases: Me, Myself and Irene: cops running away from cops.
Nudity: Comedies made in the 80s are a big Check on this one.
Slapstick: Comedy. 80s. It's almost like they didn't have sarcasm back then.
For the Player:
He's got the James Bond collection and you don't know what's left that he can appreciate, when he's not wearing those stupid sunglasses in the club, or ordering bottle service.
It's tough, because he'd obviously prefer to cheat on you rather than watch DVDs, but on the outside chance that you scored an honest player (?), get him:
Booty Call, one of Jamie Foxx's early movies, before he became an 'actor' and started taking over award shows. Great quotable lines, twisted story and satisfying romance theme. Select line:
(watching a male Rhino mount a female) Wax that 3000 pound ass!
In Like Flint, a Bond-ripoff featuring James Coburn trying to prevent a group of women from taking over the world. It's not Bond, but it is laughable.
From Beijing With Love, one of Stephen Chow's most loved films, about a Chinese James Bond - but in total slapstick.
Violence: Spy movies always have violence. Otherwise, they'd just be guys in the shadows.
Sports: Espionage is a sport - of sorts.
Car Chases: Yes!
Nudity: Uncertain.
Slapstick:Yes!
JohnDoe recommends: Alfie, Michael Caine is a big-time player, and The Assignment, a spy movie that's all action.
DuskDevi reminds us that Fletch is a hilarious undercover movie, featuring Chevy Chase as a reporter that is definitely not a player.
For the Sports Fan:
Sports movies are usually very predictable, since the 'good' team rarely loses, no matter how tense the final slow motion scene is.
Nonetheless, there's something so compelling about seeing a good one, and it's one of the few times that men will allow themselves to get teary.
First, I recommend Slapshot, a legendary hockey movie from 1977, which made the Hanson Brothers into household names. Paul Newman stars as the player coach, and it's a half-satire on the thuggish nature of hockey.
Then Rudy, one of those little-guy-makes-the-big-team movies. Basically, a little guy makes the big team. Who is the little guy? None other than Sean 'I'm coming Mr. Frodo' Astin aka Samwise Gamgee. Also starring Jon Favreau and Ned Beatty, this is an American football movie that'll pull at your boyfriend's icy heart.
Last, why not get Rollerball, the 1975 film that satirizes sports culture, and predicts a future where corporations rule the world. Sort of like now, but with more violence in the sports. Oh, wait, we've got Rugby. Oh, ok...
Violence: Is there anything more violent than sports? War? Hunh. What is it good for?
Sports: That's all this is, baby.
Car Chases: Er, no. But hockey players chase each other around the rink.
Nudity: A little. Nothing to get steamed up about.
Slapstick: Men on skates? There's plenty of room for physical comedy here...
| 77 |
| Vote |
Subscribe to this blog
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Great to see some love for Beiijing With Love and In Like Flynt, Life Force and The Black Hole, nice choices.
For the Geek....
Free Enterprise
A romantic comedy in the style of Swingers. Revolving around a bunch of trekkies., fear not these guys are consumate film nuts too and the homages and loving dialogue flow thick and fast. Plus it features Shatner rapping Shakespeare's Julius Ceasar...I see far to much of my real life in this film.
Heavy Metal
Animated Sword and sorcery adventure for adult. Features wild imagination, scantily clad she ra babes and mighty battles between Good and Evil. (Available on DVd in Oz)
For The Frat Boy...
Porky's get an aussie DVD release this month and considering it pretty much started the genre should be on every self respecting beer guzzling, perverts wish list.
Better of Dead starring John Cusack stands tall as gross out comedy with heart.
For the thinking Frat Boy try Diner starring Mickey Rourke, many cite the film as the first talky Seinfled style comedy and you will want to memorise verbatim many conversations throughout.
For the Player...
The Assignment- deadly serious james Bond Style espionage thriller, light on comedy but heavy on all other criteria sexy and action packed.
The Ipcress File- Michael caine plays the anti Bond and along the way meets the ladies in this classic thriller that shows a different side to the Bond glamour.
For the Player who wants to laugh at himself try-
Alfie starring Michael caine, forget the remake you can learn so much from this womanising stud about where playing gets you.
Roger Dodger may just open your eyes to new choices or help you realise the bad ones you make.
A few recommendations that may well satisfy.
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
I don't have Tao of Steve, unfortunately... I saw it back in Canada...
Comment by Theresa
Vintage Culture
Technology Bloggers
Today's World
Borderless World
Penny Smart
Is it a generational, or American (or intelligence) thing that no one is listing the 3 Stooges or Animal House?
Terrific choice, In Like Flint, great send-up of the spy genre....
Theresa
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
I only saw the first episdoe of Red Dwarf about a year ago. And after seeing that the rest of the show finally made at least SOME sense.
For the Geek who wants to be a Frat Boy - you'll need the Revenge of the Nerds collection,.
Kylie
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Theresa, same with Animal House. Love it, but nearly every guy with a comedy collection has it.
Comment by Mark Schultz
Random Musings on Life, Love and Everything
No, seriously.
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
What's something odd that you'd like to get?
Comment by StarWarsGeek
Now why is a Shakespearean stage actor doing in a B-Grade Sci-Fi flick 2 years before ST:TNG started? Was he preparing for his ST stint?
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Comment by DuskDevi
Rucks and Rolls
Rugby World Cup 2007
For the geek:
'The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes'
For the player:
'The Saint' (the series)
For the frat boy:
'Fast Times at Ridgemont High'
Where does 'Dazed and Confused' fit?
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
starwarsgeek, John, I did NOT remember that. I remember seeing him in Lynch's Dune and laughing, but in Lifeforce? Damn, I gotta see that again...
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Since you added sports to the list, made fine choices....I love Slapshot and Rollerball.......I will add
Somebody Up There Likes Me starring Paul Newman as Rocky Graciano
Oliver Stone's Any Given Sunday.
John Frankenheimer's Grand Prix starring James Garner or Le Man's starring Steve McQueen.
Comment by DuskDevi
Rucks and Rolls
Rugby World Cup 2007
Damn. I need a Rugby movie....
Nah. The reality is exciting enough.
Not One Word...
Oh... and 'The Seven Samurai'...does that count?
(Yeah, I'm cheating, I'm going through my collection.
Hey...I like my 'guy' movies as much as I love my 'kickass woman' movies.)
Umm...'Fletch'?...the first one is funny!
And this may be common or braindead but....'The Fast and The Furious' collection...love, love, love the 3rd one, 'Tokyo Drift'...this is how I drive through Sydney traffic.
Kidding!
...wish I wasn't...
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Fletch is great, actually... let me put that up there...
Comment by DuskDevi
Rucks and Rolls
Rugby World Cup 2007
But...strangely...true.
...gasp...
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Comment by DuskDevi
Rucks and Rolls
Rugby World Cup 2007
But....Rugby is my religion...it's the game they play in heaven...and Larkham is a God....sigh....
Seriously though (sort of) I do know what you mean.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD