Issue 4: Holiday Gift Guide

Currently on gift ideas for the mediaphile in your life.

Dec 16, 2023

A24 All Access

$55.00 / year
A24 has built a reputation for crafting top-tier films with distinctive storytelling, alluring visuals, and intellectually stimulating themes. Their all-access program features a quarterly zine subscription, over 100 hours of bonus content on their app, a 10% discount in their shop, a special birthday gift, exclusive merchandise, and an occasional screening invitation complete with complimentary popcorn – perfect for the A24 enthusiast. Gift an AAA24 membership.

Letterboxd Pro

$19.00 / year
This film-centric social media platform is an ideal space for movie enthusiasts who enjoy watching and reviewing films. While the platform itself doesn't provide the capability to watch films, it offers a slew of features to organize the movies you've seen. Upgrading to Letterboxd Pro brings the removal of third-party ads, the inclusion of streaming service filters, and, my personal favorite, stats pages that showcase your movie-watching history. Gift a Letterboxd Pro subscription.

Girls On Tops Tee

$33.00
Girls on Tops, an independent t-shirt label, pays homage to iconic female voices in the film world. Sparked by inspiration from the 2016 film '20th Century Women,' their original vision was simple: a crisp white shirt adorned with the names of women in film whom they admired, treating them as if they were rock stars. Girls on Tops donates a portion of its sales to fund female-led film projects and commission female-led film writing. Buy a T-shirt.

📖 For the Bookworm

Byways

$38.99
'Byways' is a captivating compilation of black-and-white still images by the legendary cinematographer Sir Roger Deakins. Renowned for his visual genius, Deakins’ credits include movies such as Skyfall, No Country for Old Men, A Beautiful Mind, Fargo, and over 80 other cinematic masterpieces. As the recipient of the Academy Award for Best Achievement in Cinematography for both 1917 and Blade Runner 2049, 'Byways' is another example of how Deakins continues to shine as a luminary in the world of visual storytelling. This book pairs well with a coffee table. Buy ‘Byways’ on Amazon.

Best. Movie. Year. Ever.: How 1999 Blew Up the Big Screen

$13.99
From Fight Club to The Matrix, Office Space to The Blair Witch Project, and The Sixth Sense to Being John Malkovich, these iconic titles represent just a fraction of the cinematic landmarks from 1999. 'Best. Movie. Year. Ever.' tells the story not only of how these movies were made but also of how they reshaped our collective vision of the world. With over 130 interviews, the book examines the inner workings of culture and commerce, providing a compelling exploration of this transformative year in film. Buy ‘Best. Movie. Year. Ever.’ on Amazon.

Cinemaps: An Atlas of 35 Great Movies

$18.99
‘Cinemaps: An Atlas of 35 Great Movies’ combines the art of cartography with the world of cinema to create detailed maps that illustrate the geography and narrative of 35 iconic films. Each map visually represents key locations and character movements and is accompanied by essays from film critic A. D. Jameson, providing a unique perspective on the storytelling and structure of the movies. Buy ‘Cinemaps’ on Amazon.

🎲 For the Gamer

Just One

$15.99 // 3-7 players // 20 minutes // cooperative
In Just One, each player takes turns being the 'guesser,' while others provide one-word clues to help uncover the mystery word. The catch? Teammates must collaborate and ensure their clue doesn't match anyone else's, or those clues will be canceled. Just One is an exciting challenge that encourages creativity and teamwork, making it my go-to for parties, game nights, and family gatherings. Buy Just One on Amazon.

Noobs in Space

$14.99 // 3-5 players // 8 plays at 15 minutes each // cooperative
In Noobs in Space, a team of 3-5 players must complete a series of tasks and challenges together, using the little knowledge each player has. Since players cannot show cards to each other, there must be clear communication and interaction by describing or reading out cards to find out what should be done—and all of this must be done as quickly as possible! It’s unique, clever, and the most I’ve laughed while playing a board game in a long time. Buy Noobs in Space on Amazon.

Mille Fiori

$52.99 // 2-4 players // 75 minutes // competitive
In Mille Fiori, you are glass manufacturers and traders who want to profit as much as possible from fine glass art. The board features workshops where the glass is created, houses where it's installed, trade shops where it's sold, and the harbor where ships take the glass to faraway locations. You want to be present in these areas at just the right time to maximize your earnings. Mille Fiori is a great 'gateway' game for those looking for the next step after Catan or Ticket to Ride. Buy Mille Fiori on Amazon.

🎁 For Everyone Else

Sofar Sounds Tickets

$26.00
Sofar Sounds is a unique concert experience that offers intimate live performances in cities around the world. The catch? The only information you're given before buying a ticket is the neighborhood where the performance will be held. The day before the event, you'll be sent the exact location which can be a store converted for the performance, a church, someone's backyard, and more. Additionally, you won't know who the performing acts are until the day of the show. Sofar makes for a great date night or a chance to discover new venues and music. Find a concert near you.

We’re Not Really Strangers

$24.99
Forge deeper connections with We're Not Really Strangers, an engaging and interactive card game. There are three thoughtfully designed levels of questions and wildcards to foster lasting, meaningful connections. It breaks down barriers and encourages conversations about real-life problems, lifestyles, beliefs, and more. It’s a great way to break the ice with someone new or delve deeper with someone you’re already close to. Buy We’re Not Really Strangers on Amazon.

Local Museum Membership

Starting at $5 / month
Museums are wellsprings of knowledge and provide opportunities to explore the realms of art, inspiring personal growth and fostering a sense of community betterment. Becoming a member not only supports the museum's mission but also unlocks a host of benefits, including free admission, early access to exhibitions, guest passes, and shop discounts. Denver-specific museum recommendations include the Denver Art Museum, MCA, and Denver Museum of Nature & Science.

Happy Holidays.
— Justin