Choices, Choices, Choices for the Home Cinema Buff

Gifts for the video buff include holiday-themed movies, documentaries and music specials, as well as TV series, sports, music and movies.

Holiday Themes

“AN ALL DOGS CHRISTMAS CAROL,” MGM ($14.95). Those lovable canines Charlie, Itchy, Sasha, Carface and Killer “save” Christmas in this direct-to-video animated tale. Steven Weber, Dom DeLuise and Sheena Easton are among the voices.

“BOB HOPE’S ENTERTAINING THE TROOPS--THE VIETNAM YEARS,” Real Entertainment ($79.99). There are a lot of poignant and funny memories to be found in this nine-volume set, which includes Hope’s USO tours to Vietnam during 1964-72. Among the stars featured are Jill St. John, Jack Jones, Carroll Baker, Joey Heatherton, Raquel Welch, Ann-Margret, Rosie Grier, Ursula Andress, Lola Falana and Jim Nabors.

“TV GUIDE LOOKS AT CHRISTMAS,” Real Entertainment ($14.99). Lea Thompson hosts this documentary, which features clips from such beloved yuletide shows as “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”

“A HOLLYWOOD CHRISTMAS,” Real Entertainment ($14.99). Jane Seymour hosts this documentary of clips from holiday-themed movies, including rare outtakes and never-before-seen footage.

“SOUTH PARK, VOL. 6,” Rhino ($14.95). Hi-de-ho! This two-episode tape features “Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo,” the incredibly gross and funny 1997 holiday story of the Comedy Central smash hit animated series.

“THE FRUGAL GOURMET--A COLONIAL CHRISTMAS,” MPI ($14.98). Jeff Smith takes a journey back in time to Williamsburg, Va., circa the 1700s, to demonstrate some age-old Christmas traditions, including how to make candied orange and lemon peels, Indian pudding and whole roasted pumpkin.

“A CHRISTMAS GLORIA,” BWE ($14.95). Roma Downey hosts this holiday musical special, which features the first-time collaboration between the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Canadian Brass. The program includes music of John Rutter, J.S. Bach and Chris Dedrick.

“ANNE MURRAY’S CLASSIC CHRISTMAS,” WinStar ($19.98). The Canadian pop star sings such standards as “White Christmas” and “Winter Wonderland” in this holiday special, which also features singer Roch Voisine, Olympic skater Elvis Stojko and the Barenaked Ladies.

General Interest

“SECRETS OF THE TITANIC,” National Geographic Video ($14.95). The collector’s edition of this documentary, narrated by Martin Sheen, highlights the century’s most celebrated underwater expedition. The tape offers a newly released interview with Dr. Robert Ballard, the oceanographer and undersea explorer who led the 1986 expedition of the first people to see and photograph the Titanic since its sinking in 1912.

“COASTER,” Pentrex ($19.95). Train buffs will enjoy this look at the scenic “Surf Line,” which since 1995 has provided mainline commuter service between San Diego and Oceanside. To order, call (800) 950-9333.

“RACE FOR THE RECORD,” PolyGram ($19.95). Relive the Mark McGwire-Sammy Sosa race to beat Roger Maris’ 1961 home run record of 61. Besides clips of the home runs, the tape features interviews and exclusive footage of the super-sluggers as well as the managers, coaches and teammates who witnessed the historic race.

“HANSON--ROAD TO ALBERTANE,” PolyGram ($19.95). The teen dreams headline their first concert video filmed live at the Key Arena in Seattle. The tape features two live songs exclusive to video and behind-the-scenes footage from their world tour.

“PARSIFAL,” Kultur Video ($29.95). Placido Domingo, the new artistic director of Los Angeles Opera, stars in this filmed version of Richard Wagner’s three-act opera celebrating the search for the Holy Grail. The tape also includes an interview with Wolfgang Wagner, Richard’s grandson.

“ ‘TOMORROW NEVER DIES’ GIFTSET,” MGM ($39.98). A limited-edition set--only 207,000 are available--of the 1997 James Bond blockbuster includes a numbered certificate of authenticity and a never-before-seen 60-minute video hosted by Q (Desmond Llewelyn), which features stunts, music and interviews with the stars. Each set also includes a reproduction of a Pierce Brosnan-autographed final shooting script and a collectible photo set.

“RED GREEN STUFFED AND MOUNTED,” Acorn Media ($39.95). The four-volume boxed set features favorite episodes from the PBS comedy series “The Red Green Show.” In the comedy, Red Green, Canada’s duct-tape master, leads his cohorts of Possum Lodge misfits in adventures, games and home repair projects that all misfire. To order, call (800) 474-2277.

“THE COMPLETE AEON FLUX,” Sony Music Video and MTV (34.98). The five-hour, three-volume boxed set features several episodes of the futuristic adventures of sexy secret agent Aeon Flux. The set includes the original two-hour, feature-length video “Aeon Flux” as well as the follow-up videos, “Mission Infinite” and “Operative Terminus.”

“LIBERACE BOXED SET,” Rhino ($59.95). Deliciously campy three-volume set features the late flamboyant entertainer’s three television extravaganzas: “Leapin’ Lizards It’s Liberace,” “Liberace Valentine’s Day Special” and “Liberace Live With the London Philharmonic.” Rhino has given the set the full Liberace treatment with a metallic-silver-specked box.

“OUR FAVORITE TOYS,” Acorn ($19.95). This Discovery Channel documentary revisits the beloved objects of our childhood obsessions, including Barbie dolls, G.I. Joe action figures, Slinky toys and Lego blocks. To order, call (800) 474-2277.

“ ‘MY SO-CALLED LIFE’ GIFTSET,” BMG ($39.98). Three volumes of episodes of the 1994-95 cult teen series, which stars Claire Danes. Episodes featured are “Dancing in the Dark,” “The Zit,” “The Pilot,” “My So-Called Angels,” “Father Figure” and “Guns and Gossip.”