Christmas Gift Guide 2014: TV & Film
Here's our selection of the best new TV and film titles out on DVD and crisp Blu-ray in time for Christmas 2014. There's got to be something for everyone in this varied selection!
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Frank (Blu-ray & DVD) Offbeat comedy based on the late, cult comedian Chris Sievey's alter-ego, Frank Sidebottom. Young wannabe musician Jon (Domhnall Gleeson) finds himself out of his depth when he joins an avant-garde pop band led by the mysterious and enigmatic Frank (Michael Fassbender), a musical genius who hides himself inside a large fake head. Maggie Gyllenhaal co-stars. Blu-ray Details & DVD Details |
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The Inbetweeners 2 (Blu-ray & DVD) Surely this needs no introduction? The massive smash-hit film of the summer, The Inbetweeners 2 follows Will, Neil and Simon as they travel to Australia to reunite with Jay who is down under for a gap year. Blu-ray Details & DVD Details Super-fans will want the Limited Edition Steelbook Blu-ray, whilst there's a box set of both this and the first film, also on both Blu-ray and DVD. |
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Mrs. Brown's Boys D'Movie (Blu-ray & DVD) One of the big comedy films of the summer, and in our opinion actually rather funnier than the high-rating BBC sitcom from which it originates. When market-trader Agnes Brown finds her stall under threat from a ruthless developer, she and her family embark on a campaign to save their livelihood and the heart of the community. Blu-ray Details & DVD Details |
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Mrs. Brown's Boys - More Christmas Crackers (Blu-ray & DVD) Feast yourself on this double helping of Mrs. Brown's Boys with the two 2013 Christmas Specials. In Buckin' Mammy, Christmas is just round the corner, and no-one knows what Bono wants for a present. In Who's A Pretty Mammy?, Agnes is on a mission - trying to make sure Bono isn't sent to the infamous local primary school. Blu-ray Details & DVD Details |
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Mrs. Brown's Boys - Big Box Of Crackers (Blu-ray & DVD) Includes five top-rating Christmas specials from hit BBC One sitcom Mrs. Brown's Boys, from Christmases 2011 to 2013: Mammy's Ass, Mammy Christmas, The Virgin Mammy, Buckin' Mammy and Who's A Pretty Mammy?. You can get it on plain old DVD, or beautiful high-definition Blu-ray. Blu-ray Details & DVD Details |
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Birds Of A Feather - The Complete BBC Series (DVD) This is one sitcom that really needs no introduction. The classic 1990s BBC hit, now enjoying an extremely popular, ratings-winning revival on ITV, will return for its 11th series early in 2015, following a brand new Christmas special. Until then, fans can delight in all 9 original BBC series in this mammoth 19-disc box set. Details |
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Birds Of A Feather - Christmas Specials (DVD) ...Of course, if you'd just like to dip your toe into the waters of classic Birds, there's no better way to get a taster of the laughs - particularly at this time of year - than with this new collection of Christmas episodes. Includes the four specials from 1989, 1990, 1991 and 1992. We've also got a competition to win a copy. Details |
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Boomers (DVD) Russ Abbot, Stephanie Beacham, Philip Jackson, James Smith, Alison Steadman, June Whitfield and Paula Wilcox star in Boomers, following the ups and downs of three couples fast approaching retirement and living in Thurnemouth, "Norfolk's only West facing resort". It was announced this week it'll return for another series, so time to catch up on the first. Details |
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Bad Education - Series Two (DVD) It's a new term and Alfie Wickers (Whitehall) is back as the self-styled maverick of Abbey Grove, attempting to teach his class something - anything - that requires zero effort. Though Alfie's heart's always in the right place, his judgment is often clouded by the fact he is, in reality, a bigger kid than any of the kids he teaches. A Series 1 & 2 box set is also available. Details |
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Bread - The Complete Collection (DVD) All 74 episodes of the 1980s sitcom written by Carla Lane. The Boswells live in Liverpool and are very adept at scamming the system. Nellie Boswell (Jean Boht) rules the nest and puts up with no nonsense from her children or her long-suffering husband, Freddie (Ronald Forfar), as she struggles to support her family through Thatcher's Britain. Details |
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Last Of The Summer Wine - Series 25 & 26 (DVD) Welcome back to sleepy Holmfirth, in the lovely, quiet Yorkshire Dales. Despite its title (due to an earlier naming error), this set includes the complete Series 24 and Series 25 of the world's longest-running sitcom, Last Of The Summer Wine. These episodes were originally broadcast first broadcast by BBC One in 2003 and 2004. Details |
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Trollied - Series 1 - 3 (DVD) Starring Jane Horrocks, Jason Watkins and Mark Addy, this is the first three series of Britain's latest supermarket sitcom. Set in Valco, it tries to find the funny in one of our most familiar surroundings and focuses on the types of characters we all recognise: bored checkout staff, ineffectual managers and a range of customers. Details |
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Big School - Series Two (DVD) The second series of David Walliams's secondary school-set sitcom, co-starring Catherine Tate, Philip Glenister, and the wonderful Frances de la Tour. Series 2 features the arrival of Dr Dalton (Jimmy Akingbola), an unwelcome visit from Offsted, a challenging parents' evening, and a member of staff going to meet his maker.... Details |
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Him & Her - The Wedding (DVD) After the first three series, the fourth and final run of Him & Her concluded last year with Paul and Laura's wedding, complete with jitters, tantrums, Steve's usual clumsiness, and the rest of Becky's atrocious family. A complete box set, comprising this fourth alongside the first 3 series, is out as well. Details |
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'Allo 'Allo! - Christmas Specials (DVD) One of the most successful sitcoms of the 1980s, 'Allo 'Allo! stars Gorden Kaye and Carmen Silvera as Rene and Edith, proprietors of a small cafe in the town of Nouvion, in the middle of WWII Occupied France. This new DVD release collects together an hour and a half's worth of riotous Christmas specials from the show. A masterpiece from David Croft and Jeremy Lloyd. Details |
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Keeping Up Appearances - Christmas Specials (DVD) Christmas may come but once a year, but for arch-snob Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced Bouquet, if you please), disaster, drama and humiliation are far more frequent. In these Christmas Specials we see a cruise on the QE2; a glorious English Civil War pageant; and a sherry-fuelled Richard, dressed as Santa, bringing Hyacinth tidings devoid of any comfort and joy. Details |
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Last Of The Summer Wine - Christmas Specials (DVD) Another box set of seasonal specials, this time all the way from Holmfirth, the fictional village of Last Of The Summer Wine. Almost three hours of Christmas fun feature in this set, including Compo feeling a little frosty, having trouble scraping enough together to buy his beloved Nora the perfect present. But the lack of wise men is more than made up for with a surplus of Santas... Details |
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Shaun The Sheep - Christmas Bleatings (DVD) From the creators of Wallace & Gromit come another nine episodes of animated fun from Shaun and his friends. In this set of adventures Blitzer (voice of John Sparkes) needs some help to decorate, the farmer gets a new TV and the flock throw Timmy (Justin Fletcher) a birthday party. Details |
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Miranda - Christmas! (DVD) Join Miranda and her friends in these two Christmas episodes of the smash-hit show for some festive frolicks: The Perfect Christmas (2010) - Miranda is craving a relaxing and fun time without her parents. It Was Panning (2012) - Penny threatens to cancel Miranda's Christmas if she does not sort her life out. Details |
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Not Going Out - Christmas Specials (DVD) Collection of Christmas specials from the hit sitcom. Take three laugh-out-loud yuletide journeys with Murder At Christmas as Lee hits on a plan to spend some time alone with Lucy at Christmas; Absent Father Christmas sees Lee's dad (Bobby Ball) turn up; and in The House Lee, Lucy and Daisy find themselves spending Christmas in an apparently haunted house... Details |
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Not Going Out - Series Six (DVD) Not Going Out Series 6 follows the hilariously ill-thought-out plans and mishaps of Lee as he tries to impress long-suffering landlady and object of his affection, Lucy (Sally Bretton). Uber-ditzy Daisy (Katy Wix) is on hand to offer her usually unsolicited and always completely unique take on events, while Lee's dad (Bobby Ball) and Lucy's parents only ever seem to make things worse. Details |
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Detectorists (DVD) Comedy series starring Mackenzie Crook and Toby Jones as a pair of metal detectorists. Across the six episodes greed, betrayal, rejection and, finally redemption are all played out as the boys and their eccentric friends at the Danbury Metal Detecting Club search for that one big find. Fans will enjoy the special features, including a behind the scenes documentary and photo gallery. Details |
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Derek - Series 1 & 2 (DVD) All episodes from the first two series of the comedy drama written by and starring Ricky Gervais. The show's almost over - there's just a finale left to come, due to be broadcast on Channel 4 on the 22nd of December. If you've bought Series 1 already, grab Series 2 on its own. Details |
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Man Down (DVD) The Inbetweeners and Cuckoo star Greg Davies, acclaimed stand-up comedian, writes and stars in this sitcom, which also features 2010 Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer winner, Roisin Conaty, and the late, much-missed Rik Mayall. Following Rik's death this summer, a second series begins with a Christmas special. Now's your chance to own the manic Series 1. Details |
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Gangsta Granny (DVD) David Walliams's much-loved book, adapted for the screen. When Mum and Dad drop schoolboy Ben off to stay at his granny's for the evening, he expects the usual. But one day, Ben's granny tells him an incredible story: that she was once a notorious international jewel thief, and has one last job she'd love to complete before retiring for good... Also out is a box set with 2012's Mr Stink. Details |
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Drifters - Series 2 (DVD) All six episodes from the second series of the sitcom following three 20-something female graduates as they attempt to navigate their way through life. In this series, Meg is still struggling to move out of her ex-boyfriend's flat; new neighbour Scott has attracted her attention; Laura gets engaged; Bunny is as deluded as ever; and could both Meg and Laura have found their perfect jobs? Details |
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Toast Of London - Series 2 (DVD) We love this sitcom starring Matt Berry as struggling, middle-aged actor Steven Toast. Terms such as 'insane' and 'barmy' are the only ones that come to mind in attempting to describe it, yet they somewhat lacking. It's an unhinged riot of silliness, and we can't wait for Series 3 in 2015. There's also a Series 1 & 2 box set available. Details |
See also:
Live Comedy
Books