By Bryan Hood and Craig Hubert | As 2012 winds down, you’re probably at that point where you either have to buy gifts for someone or maybe just want to get something for yourself. And even if that’s not the case, over the next couple of weeks you’re likely to have more free time (well, if you consider time with family all that “free”) than normal, so it’s as good a time as any to catch up on the performing arts. With that in mind, here are some of what we consider to be the best we’ve encountered this year from the worlds of film, music, theater, and television, all of which we think anyone would do well to have on their shelves. Check out Part One here.
“The Best of Punk Magazine,” ed. John Holmstrom, Bridget Hund
It Books/Harper Collins, $18
The first full collection of the entire run of Punk Magazine is not to be missed. Edited by co-creator John Holmstrom, the large-format book features stunning reproductions of entire issues, essays detailing the history of the magazine, and remembrances from some of the writers and people involved in its creation. A essential piece of music history.
DVDs and Blu-Rays from the Criterion Collection
The Criterion Collection, $29.95-$39.95
Any true film collection needs at least a handful of title (if not many, many more) from the massive Criterion Collection library. Each DVD and Blu-Ray, features a film that’s not just necessary viewing but is also an important part of the history of the medium, and, if that weren’t enough, most come with an ungodly amount of extras, answering any questions you might have about the movie’s production, and many you never considered. They’re all worth checking out, but some particular standouts from the last few months: Jean Luc Godard’s anarchic “Weekend,” Michael Cimino’s epic (and finally appreciated) “Heaven’s Gate,” and the thrilling Alain Delon-vehicle “Purple Noon.”
“The Disintegration Loops,” William Basinski
Temporary Residence, $225
This one-of-a-kind, limited edition box set features the complete run of William Basinski’s “The Disintegration Loops” on 9 LP’s and 5 CD’s, a DVD of “The Disintegration Loops” film, and a 144-page book featuring never-before seen photographs and liner notes from underground music luminaries. A portion of the proceeds from each set will be donated to National September 11 Memorial Museum. There are only 255 of these sets remaining, so grab yours fast.
Membership, Anthology Film Archives
$60-$3,000
Support independent cinema by becoming a member of New York’s Anthology Film Archives. For $60, you will get free access to all the theater’s Essential Cinema programs, as well as discounted tickets to all screenings and special invitations to members-only events. There are different levels of membership, with different benefits, and all money will be going toward keeping the film institution alive in a world where such things are scarce.
Television Box Sets
Various Companies, $44.99-$59.98
Here’s the problem with TV renaissance that we find ourselves in the middle of: it’s next to impossible to keep up with it all. Fortunately nearly everything that airs on the networks and cable makes it to DVD now, so what better time to catch up on that show you’ve desperately avoiding having spoiled for you, than over the holidays (plus it’s probably cold out, so why not stay in and collapse on the couch). Our current recommendations: The first season of Emmy-winning “Homeland,” the second series of “Downton Abbey,” and, of course, what conversation about quality TV would be complete without mentioning those two AMC heavyweights, “Breaking Bad” and “Mad Men.”
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