I'm a late-comer to GIANT, but loved it from the start, and that start was only several years ago when I first watched the DVD straight through.  I didn't yet have a flat panel HDTV, so I wasn't aware of the abysmal quality of that DVD transfer.  But I was also so incredibly wrapped up in the story that I probably would have tolerated it pretty well regardless.  Eventually having learned about the state of the film on home video, and finally having a great screen, I had no desire to revisit it till Warner had done their work.  There will be a very special evening set aside for this.
I've found I love films, whether "epics" or not, revolving around the late 19th/early 20th century development and growth of the US or its cities or industry or reigning families or whatnot.  THERE WILL BE BLOOD is a good one.  KANE and AMBERSONS.  CHINATOWN.  THE CARPETBAGGERS.  I'm painting with a broad brush, but all of these things relate to some extent.  Novels, too.  I'm sure there are many more such things to discover.