With Christmas around the corner I wanted to send this last Christmas card out to everyone before I go away for vacation and return after the New Year, I thought I would leave my thoughts about some cool Christmas Gifts for the OOP DVD Collector. For the family, one of the hottest DVD's out there right now is The Black Stallion, the MGM version. While still affordable, it is still potentially sitting on some of the shelves in stores, it is a wise investment. Considered one of the greatest family films of all time, this DVD has shown to have interest far and wide making it a great collectible. I have not read any word about what MGM plans to do with it, but at this point in time it is no longer available. In addition is the sequel, The Black Stallion Returns, with the same cast, also from MGM. While not as in demand as the previous, it is equally out of print, and from my perspective, a little harder to find. So those make great gifts for the Christmas season without waiting for your next paycheck to make the payment. For those that like action in their life, La Femme Nikita seems to fit the bill. Luc Besson's classic (eventually remade as Point of No Return with Bridget Fonda) of a young punkish girl who is turned into an woman assassin to take revenge. The movie which spawned a popular television series with Peta Wilson, stars Anne Parillaud playing the heroine Nikita. It is still in it's infancy of off-the-shelf-life, so you still have a chance to pick it up at your local retailer. But expect to see this DVD get some notariety once the shelves are empty with this title. It might be good to note that all versions are OOP - Trimark, original MGM and Special Edition from MGM. Christmas seems a time when people forget the single discs and go straight for the boxed sets, which in my mind, is why TV boxed sets do so well. One of the hottest TV boxed sets this Christmas is The Office with Steve Carelll. I recently watched Season One and Season Two and let me tell you, they are incredible! An excellent mix of comedy and romance, silliness and seriousness. Seemingly improvisational, done in documentary style of paper company Dunder Mifflin who essentially gets no work under the head of Michael Scott (Carell). While the DVD sets themselves are hot, what is hotter is the exclusive Best But Severance Package which includes both seasons one and two. If you were lucky enough to grab one while they were on the shelves ($42.00 retail), you not only got a deal on the two sets, but also came with other items in a box similar to those as you would get if you bought a box of paper. If you check eBay, they are close to the $100.00 mark. But if American TV puts you off, you can check out the original BBC series The Office aired a few years before the US version starring creator, director, writer, and star Ricky Gervais in the boxed set of Season 1, 2 and the Special. It was only 2 seasons long, but equally as good (some would argue which is better, but both are excellent). If you have been a collector of OOP DVD's, then you probably already aware of the Mystery Science Theater Collection Volume 10 being recalled. Since it has been removed as a special order option on Amazon, prices have moved to $100.00 or more. This set is perhaps the most popular item in the OOP market at the moment. I am basing this on the scientific observations of watching the bidding process and comparing it with other items up for sale on eBay. Even though prices are going up, it is potentially one of the best investments on the market today. A small print run and no statement about a future return for this set makes this a great item to own. Not only for MST3K fans, plus Godzilla-heads make for a larger interest. As an added bonus, even international markets are interested in this title. Although Christmas and Capitalism both start with a 'C', there is also another word relating that also starts with a 'C' - Children. Yes, Children are what started this whole Christmas mess and we are all in it together. So what do we do? Well, like food for animals, we sell to parents in hopes they buy for their kids. And what would a OOP DVD market be without a few OOP Cartoons available. Nightmare Before Christmas has a built in audience at this point and prices Continue to Climb as Christmas gets Closer, but a few other titles for the smaller age groups are Rainbow Brite and the Star Stealer and Watership Down. Rainbow Brite has remained popular since its inception in the eighties, and kids Continue to enjoy her Colorful Charm. Watership Down is the literary Classic turned Cartoon Classic. Current standing is that Amazon has these ready to ship, but according to reports, the item has been discontinued from the catalog. Rainbow Brite on the other hand is no longer available directly, but only through third party sellers, but comparatively Cheap for the Children this Christmas season. Some potentials for the cult collector this holiday season are the Andy Warhol/Paul Morrissey sexy horror films Blood for Dracula and Flesh for Frankenstein. Both Frankstein and Dracula have been previously released by Criterion Collection and then, once discontinued, reissued under the Image Entertainment brand. Currently these are relatively available, however, it is wondered if they on their way out of print. Kiss Me Deadly, an MGM Film Noir release of Robert Aldrich's classic has run its current course and has been discontinued. Some recent releases that show possible potential, but uncertain in its investment potential is the Saturday Night Live Season One boxed set. The sticker affixed to every package states "Limited Edition", but just how limited is always the question asks about such products. Undoubtedly a large print run is available, but whether they discontinue this title after the holidays or three years from now is up for debate. Either way, it is still a great set to own for its content. Lost Seasons One and Season Two are equally good stuff to watch. And according to Amazon, the Walk the Line 2-disc set is the Best DVD of 2006. They dont give a rationale, and I am sure its based on some sales statistic rather than any aesthetic point of view, as far as I can tell. Lastly is a curious bit of old Hollywood lore, the Forbidden Hollywood Collection, Volume 1, which features films that were cut due to the Hayes Code in 1934, but made previous to the codes installment. These films deal with hot and taboo topics in a frank and open manner, as well as some nudity, promiscuity and other subjects not approved by the code. Lastly, for you that broke into the new world of Blu Ray and HD-DVD, the hottest item in Amazon's collection is Superman Returns for both formats. So that is all for now. I hope this was helpful and y'all have a Happy Christmas, Hannukah and Kwanza and other holidays that I missed mentioning. - OopAnt