DVD | ENCOUNTERS AT THE END OF THE WORLD
Takashi Miike / First Look Pictures

Herzog shits great films. It’s like the man can’t help but produce absolute brilliance, even when he intentionally stacks all the odds against himself. Case in point: his new, startlingly beautiful, and eminently engaging documentary about life in the (almost literal) ass-end of the planet. Herzog and cinematographer Peter Zeitlinger ventured alone into the desolate plains of Antarctica without planning either locations or subjects, fighting against a seven-week time limit. The resulting film is both poignant and haunting, offering a captivating study of the eccentrics who intentionally choose this life of evocative isolation. It’s the perfect film to usher in the cold winter months.

CD | Chinese Democracy
RAZORLIGHT / MERCURY
No, I don’t have a copy of this album. Getting a pre-release copy has been harder than a Catholic priest in a school playground. However, everyone should know that this still-wet abortion will be available for purchase next Monday at your local Best Buy, finally ending one of the longest and easiest running jokes to ever grace the culture desks at publications worldwide. Do your part and ignore this album. Let’s all pretend that Axl and crew died a horrible, fiery death after AfD.

CD | DR. DOOOM 2
DR. DOOOM / THRESHOLD
Holy shit in a consecrated handbasket, Dr. Dooom has returned! The ever-mercurial and perpetually-psychotic Kool Keith has finally resurrected one of his more notorious personalities, with the incomparable KutMasta Kurt manning the helm. Keith’s flow has always been akin to engaging in a conversation with a dangerously unstable schizophrenic, and it’s great to hear him absolutely kill on the mic after his last few misses. True hip-hop heads everywhere unite—our Prophet is back in the game.

CD | S/T
THE PRIESTS / EPIC
The Priests are, unsurprisingly, three Irish Roman Catholic priests who signed a mind-boggling $2 million deal with SonyBMG. Mike Hedges—who is better known for his work with the Cure, U2 and Manic Street Preachers—produced their debut. Apparently, no little boys were touched in the making of this album, but I did masturbate furiously to their version of “Ave Maria” in a moment of intense spiritual weakness. Does that count as sexual abuse?

DVD | PRICELESS
PIERRE SALVADORI / FIRST LOOK
We’ve finally come full-circle—Audrey Hepburn’s heir apparent has finally claimed her well-deserved crown, as the lovely Ms. Tautou appears as the lead in a light and charming remake of the classic Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Little Amelie is lovely as always, and the workmanlike direction allows the wonderful cast to breathe freely, letting them do their thing with little to no interference. It’s a great date film, and worth a look for those who idolize either Audrey.

DVD | Wild Combination: A Portrait of Arthur Russell
Matt Wolf / Plexifilm
Even if you don’t recognize Russell’s name, you’ve heard his influence in every pop single since 1975. This eccentric and bizarre virtuoso bridged the gap between New York’s downtown, post-punk and dance scenes, injecting fresh blood into a scene bled dry by its own quotidian complacency. Wolf’s inspired bio-doc on the man is both enlightening and edifying, shedding light on a life less ordinary that’s often overlooked. Music geeks need to see this film. 

CD | Love is Overtaking Me
Arthur Russell / Audika
And after you view Wolf’s doc, it’s worth taking a listen to this extensive retrospective of Russell’s music career. This collection showcases Russell’s singer-songwriter side, diligently collecting the best of his lesser-known works. Equal parts pop, folk and country, this sadly-needed document is a true showcase of a master at work, cementing Russell’s status as one of the most talented songwriters of our time.

BOOK | Wetlands
Charlotte Roche / Grove
Currently, effete ivory tower-types are waging a battle over this deeply divisive novel on whether Roche’s debut is a breakthrough piece of erotic literature of just a cleverly-marketed porno for masochists and coprophiliacs. I’m inclined to side with the former, as there really is a poignant tale of a lonely little girl behind its graphic depictions of a mis-wired fuck machine gone horribly wrong. Also: the English version isn’t due until next April, so you better brush up on your German.

BOOK | LOG OF THE S.S. THE MRS UNGUENTINE
STANLEY CRAWFORD / DALKEY ARCHIVE
This slim novella clocks in at 100 pages, but its brevity lends a certain air of introspection to what might have otherwise been a minor comic trifle. Crawford’s lovely fantastical tale follows 40 years in the life of Unguentine and a Mrs. Unguentine, as they battle the banality of loneliness and domesticity on their giant, land-covered barge. Equal parts Kafka and DeLillo, this brief fairy-tale of emotional solitude is well worth an afternoon or two.

STOCKING-STUFFERS | FETUS COOKIE CUTTERS!
http://www.hogmalion.com
No matter what side of the abortion fence you sit on, I’m sure that we can all agree that cookies are awesome. So what better way to celebrate your ideological differences than to feast on cookies shaped like fetuses? Pro-life, pro-choice—this deeply political matter fizzles in the face of delicious, delicious sugar cookies. Piss off your friends this holiday season for $10.00, available from hogmalion.com.