A Ken Burns Documentary can speak to adults like The Princess Bride spoke to Fred Savage.  Only instead of Columbo, it’s the masterful talents of Ken Burns that tells the story.  His ability to excel with the pictures + narration + music + interviews formula is amazingly impressive in our age of 3D/HD/IMAX.  He’s made a documentary for almost any type on your list:

The Outdoorsman:  The National Parks: America’s Best Idea – $57.99 and Lewis & Clark – $19.99
The Sports Fan:  Baseball – $71.49 and Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson – $22.99
The Musician:  Jazz – $71.49
The Historian: The War – $43.99  and The Civil War – $69.99
The Reader: Mark Twain – $14.99
The Drinker: Prohibition – $29.99

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For his latest, Prohibition, those opening notes are just a small sample of how Ken Burns and Lynn Novick nail every last little detail in their films.  Throw in voices from the likes of Samuel L. Jackson, Tom Hanks, Oliver Platt as Al Capone and Sam Watterson as the voice of newspaper articles, and Prohibition will go head to head with most Hollywood movies when it comes to pure entertainment.  The fact that it’s a documentary is almost bizarre.  A Ken Burns film is nothing like those dusty film strips you were shown in middle school.

Affordable too.  $30 gets you all six hours.  Of course his other films can get spendy, but when you consider Baseball is 18.5 hours long… the price makes sense.

Consider these to be power rankings.  Whether you’re looking for gift ideas or a quick upgrade for yourself, expect these to come around about once a month.  The best of the best, which you may or may not have seen already.  Agreements, disagreements, and additions are more than welcome in the comments section below.

Click here for the top 5 most wanted lists from previous months. Top Photo Credit: bgottsab

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5. Knot Cufflinks by Link Up (set of 15) – $28.00 via Gilt

Set for just about anything.

Stumbled across these on Gilt a few weeks back so there’s a decent chance that they might reappear.  A lot of us are headed to weddings this summer wearing french cuff shirts.  Silk knots are a great way to brighten up your suited look while keeping it formal at the same time. 

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4. Mike Konos Italian Made Dress Loafer  – $139.95

'bout right. A lot.

Damn.  That’s how you do a dress loafer.  Leather sole, perfect toe, and a subtle penny loafer type strap across the top.  They’re made in Italy by the DSW house brand Mike Konos, which so far, has a decent track record.

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3. Rag & Bone Boater Hat – $39 ($140) | BOSS Black Wool Bow Tie – $26.59 ($55)

Maybe when I'm 70.

I, personally, am not a hat guy.  Nor am I a bow tie guy.  But if I WERE… they’d look something like this.  Hat is made in the USA, Bow Tie is made in Italy.  Both incredibly reasonably priced.

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2. Banana Republic Tailored micro-stripe blazer – $150.00 (but on sale a lot)

Light blue from a distance, striped when up close.

There’s got to be a promo code or site wide sale coming somewhere around the corner.  Sizes are starting to get limited on-line, but these seem to have been well distributed to the B.R. brick and mortar stores.  Currently at the tailor, full review coming.  It’s a real nice lighter color/weight blazer that can work deep into the fall.

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1. Seiko 5 SNZJ59- $152.98

The #1 watch for around $150 or under?

UPDATE: And overnight Amazon has jacked the price up by more than $100 to $276.25.  Which is bizarre.  Three other similar options are still well under $200.  For now.  Credit Mike for noticing the price jump.

They say you can’t please everybody, but this watch probably gets as close to everyone-approves as possible.  It’s an automatic, so those fanatics will be satisfied.  The dial has just enough detail, and the dark outer ring gives it a good sport feel without making it look too casual.  The stainless links?  A perfectly spaced with little shine layout.  Even those who always reach for a leather band watch should be happy with this one.

Deal of the Week – Gap Herringbone Cotton Blazer – $98.00

Up close and personal

It was down to $77.91 shipped (and Tom mentioned in the comments section of the original feature that it should be on sale for gap/banana/old navy cardholders this weekend), so I’m sure it’ll go on sale again.  But about $100 seems about fair for a blazer this nice.

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Most Popular Post – Cyber Monday 2010 Best Deals and Open Thread

That's a lot of pixels.

Endless won the day with a tiered $30 off $100, $60 off $200, and $100 off $300 approach.  That dropped this great looking Citizen into a territory not seen before.  Levi’s held their own with 40% off their site, and even Express did well with a deal that allowed you to get two Express 1mx shirts for $40.  Shipped.  Credit Dave for catching that last one.

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Most Discussed Post – Everyone needs a go to movie…

"Saul, do you get out to Utah much?"

We all need one.  We all seem to have one.  Go-to flicks ranged from Cool Hand Luke to Heat to 1776.

Everybody has one.  A movie you own on DVD, maybe even had on VHS once upon a time, and it’s your standby entertainment for those days when you want to watch something that’s:

1. Familiar
2. Awesome

It’s a movie that makes you feel good.  Something that’s probably a little predictable, has plenty of chemistry between the actors, and is easily quotable.  Maybe you identify with it, maybe you don’t.  Maybe it speaks to something deeper within your, or it’s shallow as all hell.  But it’s that movie you reach for time and time again when you want to let all your obligations go, zone out a bit, and completely relax.  You might even have favorite and least favorite scenes picked out.  And there’s no shame in skipping ahead to the best ones.

If you’ve spent more than a few weeks on this website, it’s not tough to figure out my own personal go to movie.  I reference it enough.  Ocean’s 11.  12 and 13 too, but the first re-make with Clooney and the rest is tops.  Yeah, it’s candy.  But so what…

………………………….

A close second is Casino Royale.  Not nearly as lighthearted as the suited up caper flicks of the Ocean’s trilogy (i.e. Benedict never tortures Danny Ocean by mangling his testicles) but it’s hard to argue with this scene on the train between Bond and Vesper.  Third place goes to the first six innings or so of the made for PBS documentary Baseball by Ken Burns.  That thing got me through some very poor and not the smoothest of times.

We all have one.  And it’s probably something that cinema snobs would turn their nose up at.

So what’s yours?

If you‘d like, leave your pick in the comments section below.  No slights or questioning someone else’s favorite here either (unless it’s like, The Music Man or something).  We all have different cinematic forms of comfort food.
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The Beatles might have killed the presence of horns in Rock and Roll, but for one brief moment at the end of the 20^th Century, Metallica brought an entire throbbing orchestra into the mix.

Unfortunately the performance, DVD, and CD from Metallica’s partnership with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra is largely forgotten.  Which is just plain unfair.

It’s essentially a two disc greatest hits collection, with a couple of new songs thrown in.  Even if you prefer your Metallica from the Black Album on (you softie), the S&M performances of earlier material like Master of Puppets, For Whom the Bell Tolls, and the instrumental Call of Ktulu are addicting.  It’s powerful, it’s angry, and it’s satisfying.

The record does have some issues.  It was recorded in 1999, just a few years before Jason Newsted left the group and internal shenanigans led to turmoil documented in “Some Kind of Monster.”  The performance feels lackluster in spots.  On some songs it feels like James just gives up.  But his voice, when he’s on, it’s abnormally clear.  Different than what he usually sounds like.  Less growl.  It’s like the presence of a syphony 10 feet off his ass guilted him into finally showing off the vocal chops he’s got, without the usual stereotypical gravel in his throat.

Less screaming, more singing.  And it’s awesome because of that.

Great for running.  Good for poker.  Not so good for writing a post for an Affordable Men’s Style site.

“I didn’t stand at the door. Don’t be an idiot. I bugged the Scotch bottle. ”
“ What!”
“ It’s got a little transmitter on it, I’ve got a little thing in my ear, get past it.”

Charlie Wilson has died.  Here’s NPR’s Morning Edition on his life:

Tom Hanks does an amazing job portraying the man who seemed to born from fiction into the non-fictional world.  Phillip Seymore Hoffman more than deserved his Oscar Nomination for playing the filled to the brim with piss and vinegar yet barely bottled up CIA agent Gust Avrakotos.  And Julia Roberts executes one of the greatest single word one-liners in Cinema History.

“Sluts.”

It’s charming, it’s engaging, it’s a different kind of experience.  Probably just like how Charlie Wilson was.

Some see gift cards as a cop out.  They’re easy, don’t require much thought, and you can even pick one up for a major big-box retailer while standing in line at the grocery store.  If it’s the thought that counts, then there’s not much to count for when it comes to gift cards.

Unless, you’re the kind of person who knows what they want, and likes to go out and get it for themselves.  And then they’re a tremendous gift to receive.

Macy’s, Amazon.com, Best Buy, and Starbucks consistently finish at the top when it comes to the most purchased gift cards of the holiday season.  Here’s three suggestions for each that’ll guarantee you get the most out of that little piece of plastic.

— Best Buy / Amazon.com ——————————

Logitech Cordless Opitcal Mouse – $24.93

It’s light, portable, and feels great in your hand.  And it has a wheel that can stand up to some vigorous scrolling.

The Bourne Trilogy – $26.99

The Bourne Trilogy starring Matt Damon has been one of the few action movie series of the last decade which avoided the pitfalls most other movies with explosions fall victim to.  The Bourne flicks don’t depended on CGI, weren’t dragged down by horrible dialogue, and actually had great acting and real suspense.  Perfect to have on hand for those days when nothing is on TV and you want an adrenaline boost.

AC/DC Bonfire Box Set – $60.99

This is AC/DC at their best.  Their tribute to original singer Bon Scott has five discs which include the soundtrack to their famous Concert Flick “Let there Be Rock.”  You also get BBC live Recordings, other rarities, and even Back in Black which was recorded after Bon’s death.  One can’t live life with a never ending soundtrack of melancholy mid-tempo songs.  Sometimes you have to put on something you can turn up and let the neighbors experience with you.

— Macy’s ——————————————————–

Kenneth Cole Reaction Top Class Plain Toe Boot – $66.99

The Macy’s winter clearance sale is on, and you will not find a better price anywhere on a more stylish and simple pair of boots.  Period.  Plain toe, smooth leather, nice detailing at the top of the ankle.  A must have.  List price is around $135 at other retailers.  Endless.com has a better view of the boots if you want more detail than what Macys.com offers.

Tommy Hilfiger Raven Striped Crew Neck – $29.99

Mr. Hilfiger has made a career out of producing classic, purely American clothing at about half the price of what Ralph Lauren does it for.  We all need a thermal or two for the weekends.  The bold stripes on the Hilfiger Raven Striped Crew neck make it stand out in a great way.

Michael Kors Classic Check Dress Shirt  – $19.99

Because sometimes a plain white Oxford under your well cut suit can get a little boring.  Perfect semi-spread collar, good weight in the cloth, and a pattern that’s business like but fun at the same time.  perfect to match with solid suits and solid ties.  These shirts aren’t fitted so if you’re of a more athletic build, you’ll need some tailoring.

— Starbucks ——————————————————–

Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson | Break Up – $11.99

Sure you could buy a cup of coffee or an espresso or whatever it is you like to drink at Starbucks… but that cup of hot liquid unfortunately doesn’t come with the sultry sounds of Scarlett Johansson.  Pete Yorn is amazingly talented.  Enough so that he was able to take one of the sexiest women in Hollywood, vocal flaws and all, and still produced a terrific album.  You’ll find it near the register.

Starbucks French Roast Extra Bold – $28.07 for 3-Pack

Because some mornings you’re too hungover and just want to drink your coffee at home.  Bold, thick, smokey, and pre-ground so your splitting headache isn’t exacerbated by the damn whole bean grinder.

DCI I am Not a Paper Cup 10oz Porcelin Travel Cup – $17.45

So maybe you do want to save your giftcard for hot beverages.  Buy this and the baristas will gladly put your purchases in it for you.  Strangely light ceramic with a soft silicone lid.  Microwave and dishwasher safe, the now famous DCI “I am Not a Paper Cup” reduces waste and gives you something to put that bold French Roast in for your commute to work.

(all products are available at each individual store, but in case you didn’t get a gift card to that location and you still want the product… Amazon.com links are provided to some listings with free super-saver shipping for your online shopping pleasure.  That way you won’t have to fight the post-holiday shopping crowds.)

Even if the guy you’re buying for isn’t a couch potato, he will still succumb to the siren song of comfortable seating and a glowing television from time to time.  I guarantee it.  We’re men.  It’s what we need to do to unwind.

We hunt, we gather, we… lay on the dirt in our cave and stare at what someone else has scrawled on the walls.

The only problem with using the idiot-box to unwind is that there’s often not a damn thing worth watching on TV.  Even if he has 57 million channels and a DVR, it’s good to have go-to movies lying around one can relax to.  These are the kinds of movies you can throw in and focus as much… or as little of your attention on.

Uncomplicated, fun, and cool is what you’re looking for. Movies that won’t remind him of actual real world problems that sadly aren’t fiction.  You want movies with great dialogue, chemistry between the actors, and great endings.

In short… buy him the Ocean’s trilogy.

Need More Ideas? Here’s the rest of The 12 Days of Dappered:
12 Days of Dappered Day 1
12 Days of Dappered Day 2
12 Days of Dappered Day 3
12 Days of Dappered Day 4
12 Days of Dappered Day 5
12 Days of Dappered Day 6
12 Days of Dappered Day 7
12 Days of Dappered Day 8
12 Days of Dappered Day 9
12 Days of Dappered Day 10
12 Days of Dappered Day 11
12 Days of Dappered Day 12

If you’re bald, losing your hair, or know it’s going to inevitably happen to you one day… take a cue from Jason Statham:  Buzz it short, grow some stubble, buy some great suits, and carry yourself well.

Do that and you’ll look 10-times better than your full mane counterparts.

In The Bank Job Statham and his buzzed head plays another character that’s right in his wheelhouse.  A tough, smart, bad ass criminal who still maintains an undeniable likability that makes you WANT him to break the law.

This time Statham and his band of merry thieves head after a bank vault full of safety deposit boxes.  It’s not a job they’d normally try and pull, but they’ve got inside info on how easy it could be.  Turns out the inside information comes with a price, because the people in the know want the contents of one box in that vault.

Directed by the man who wrote and directed Anthony Hopkins in the under-rated and far under-viewed “The World’s Fastest Indian,” Statham and the supporting cast execute a crisp, cool movie for people who love crime and heist flicks, and won’t think it detracts from the film if not everyone makes it out unscathed.