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Stuff the stockings with the hottest DVDs BY AARON MEHAFFEY THE GAMECOCK Much of November has slipped past us, and the holidays are coming inexorably for ward. It is at this festive time of the year that gift shopping becomes'the most com pelling, challenging and rewarding com mon sport. DVDs of the movies and TV shows that friends and family have fallen in love with are sure to be hotly sought-af ter items. Here is a look at some titles to dii ey t: uui iui . “Bruce Almighty” will be available on DVD Nov. 25. Starring Jim Carrey, Morgan Freeman and Jennifer Aniston, this popular comedy about Bruce Nolan and his temporary acquisition of the pow ers and responsibilities of God will be in stores in both wide-screen and full-screen versions. As the most recent success in the long line of spontaneous Jim Carrey come dies from the director of “Ace Ventura” and “Liar Liar,” “Bruce Almighty” might be the most popular installation in the se ries. Those fond of ‘70s and ‘80s era graphic sci-fi films are undoubtedly anticipating the release of a certain box set on Dec. 2: The Alien Quadrilogy. Written by Dan O’Bannon and starring Sigourney Weaver, these four movies depict the gruesome ac tivities of an extraterrestrial race of car nivorous, acid-blooded, insectoid monsters — and the attempts of a handful of humans to stop them. Not exactly intended for the faint of heart but rather for the more sea soned horror-lover, this four-part series, which began in 1979, helped re-popularize the sci-fi thriller. Also coming to stores on Dec. 2 is “Pirates of the Caribbean: the Curse of the Black Pearl.” Starring Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom and Geoffrey Rush in a nau tical adventure of comedy, romance and necromancy, this movie is likely to be re membered as one of the greatest action movies of our era. Available in a two-disc set, this modern Errol Flynn-esque block buster would make a perfect gift for any ro mance/action lover, young or old. On Dec. 9, the fifth season of “M*A*S*H” becomes available. Starring Alan Alda, Mike Ferrel, Loretta Swit, Harry Morgan and many others, director Larry Gelbart’s series depicts the struggles for sanity and survival in a mobile hospital on the front lines of the Korean War. Combining sidesplitting, sarcastic humor with power ful drama, M*A*S*H has become an iconic series, both as a source of laugh ter and as a mindful re flection on the horrors of war. Coming to stores on Dec. 16 is “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.” Based on the graphic novels writ ten by Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neil, this film chronicles the adven tures of a motley crew of the strangest and most notable characters of post-Victorian British lit erature. Starring Sean Connery, Stuart Townsend and Richard Roxburgh, it captures an offbeat superhero story on screen. Also available on Dec. id is aeaoiscuu. starring roDey Maguire, Chris Cooper and Jeff Bridges, this true story of a street fighter turned jockey has emerged as one of the most memorable tales about overcoming the odds in recent years. An inspiring story and an unforgettable movie, available in both wide-screen and pan-and-scan ver sions, “Seabiscuit” would be a great gift for any movie-lover. There are many other movies and TV shows scheduled for release on DVD be tween now and Christmas. For more infor mation on these soon-to-be-released titles, visit The DVD Journal at http://www.dvd joumal.com/. Comments on this story?E-mail gamecockmixeditor@hotmail.com PHOTO COURTESY KRT CAMPUS/THE GAMECOCK Jennifer Anlston stars in “Bruce Almighty,” which hits stores on Nov. 25. p ■ ersonallzayoar Towels, Jackets, Blankets, etc. ■maw Custom Menogramming (803) 256-0043