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10)
Moulin Rouge Writer/director Baz Lurhmann's fantasy/musical Moulin Rouge stuck a chord with critics and audiences, even garnering a Best Picture Oscar nomination. Fox's lavish two-disc set does justice to the unique film, in the opinions of voters. The film itself is presented in an acclaimed anamorphic widescreen transfer and equally-praised DD and DTS tracks. Two commentaries are included, specifically discussing the film's design and screenplay. Disc Two contains everything you could want...the HBO special, discarded sequences, and featurettes on the film's five leading actors, music, design, story, and marketing. Fox essentially leaves no stone unturned, and fans of the film are pleased. |
| 2001, Fox / 2 Discs / DVD Release 12/18/01 / SRP $29.99 / LAST YEAR: 50 |
| 9)
Brazil: Criterion Collection Since its release over three years ago, the Criterion Collection DVD set for Terry Gilliam's Brazil has remained a favorite of DVD enthusiasts. This three-disc set essentially explores everything DVD can be by presenting a film and extensive supplements that lend insight into how the film came to be. In the case of Brazil, a nightmarish comedy/fantasy that has become the trademark film of one of modern day cinema's most unique minds, the DVD presents the story of a director's vision clashing with a studio's ultimatums. Gilliam ultimately got the film he wanted to make released, and the film gets first-class treatment over three discs from Criterion. Gilliam provides audio commentary for the 142-minute director's cut on Disc One (which is non-anamorphic, the one complaint about the set), and expert David Morgan comments on the 94-minute "Love Conquers All" cut of the film that Universal initially wanted, found on Disc Three. Disc Two contains a 30-minute on-set documentary, 60-minute Criterion documentary, and several other features which study the design and structure of this imaginative production. Even if the dystopian satire is not to your taste, the DVD set provides an exhaustive examination of what it's like to get an offbeat, unusual film made and distributed in the traditional Hollywood business system. |
 VOTERS' VOICES: -"A laserdisc port, but still a phenomenal set, and my favorite movie of all time." -"It's tough including a package that's non-anamorphic on here, but this really sheds light on the problems this film went through and how editing can save or destroy a film." -"Great film in an all-encompassing edition." |
| 1985, Criterion/Universal / 3 Discs / DVD Release 7/13/99 / SRP $59..99 / LAST YEAR: 10 |
 VOTERS' VOICES: -"The great documentary and Ebert commentary cement this as my favorite." -"Every film buff should have this in his or her collection as it is an excellent presentation." -"Warner really did a bang-up job with this title. The two commentary tracks are detailed and fascinating. This is the standard-bearer for how classic films should be presented. Bravo." -"This movie grows on me more and more every time I see it. The Ebert commentary and terrific documentary make one great DVD package." -"Would rank higher if Bogdanovich's commentary wasn't so snore-inducing, but Ebert's magnificent audio plus the great documentary on Disc 2 make this a keeper." -"In terms of picture and sound quality it’s as good as it's ever going to get, and that's excellent. I almost felt as if the movie was produced in the last year rather than back in 1941. This set provides all you can ask for and a bit more." |
8)
Citizen Kane It has almost become cliché to label Citizen Kane the greatest film of all-time. Sight & Sound has done it several times in the past, and the American Film Institute's bold Top 100 list from five years ago found it at the top as well. While the accolades may grow tired, the film never does. It remains a fresh and fascinating character study, with a unique and revolutionary technical styles and layers of depth. Warner's fall 2001 Special Edition DVD release includes a video transfer so clean you won't believe the film is sixty years old. The pristine restoration does homage to director Orson Welles' eye for detail and technical expertise. Citizen Kane reaches a level of cinematic genius that few other films have, and it holds up incredibly well. This 2-disc set is a testament to that greatness, with the highlight being Disc 2's thorough and much-praised two-hour documentary "The Battle over Citizen Kane", which lends incredible insight into the making and significance of the film. Similarly, audio commentaries on Disc 1 by Roger Ebert and Peter Bogdanovich help to enhance one's appreciation for the film, both on a technical level and in the historical context of the era in which it was made. Even if you find the praise for Citizen Kane a bit much, you can't deny that this 2-disc DVD presentation is a comprehensive examination of what film can do, at its best. |
| 1941, Warner Bros. / 2 Discs / DVD Release 9/25/00 / SRP $26.98 / LAST YEAR: 11 |
| 7)
Terminator 2: Judgment Day - Ultimate Edition James Cameron's Terminator 2: Judgment Day has the distinction of being one of the only sequels in the history of cinema to be generally considered better than the original. Audiences flocked to see T2 in great numbers, making it the top-grossing film of 1991. The consensus seems to be that both the film and Artisan's 2000 DVD release hold up incredibly well in comparison to others. Like many of the other Top 10 DVDs, Terminator 2 features impeccable anamorphic video and powerful audio tracks. What makes T2 stand out, though, is the metal case, the abundant special features, and the THREE different ways of watching the movie. Originally released as a 2-disc set, copies on shelves today feature just one disc, but fear not, it is a DVD-18 with all the features that make Artisan's DVD release a winner. |
 VOTERS' VOICES: -"Attractive presentation, loads of options crammed in." -"I still think this is a great DVD set to judge others by. Three editions of the film, DTS-ES, plus extras...thumbs up from me. At times, the film makes me chortle a bit, but overall it also holds up quite nicely." -"Clever metal packaging, abundance of features, great audio, excellent movie." -"Although I prefer the original film, this is one special special edition." |
| 1991, Artisan / 2 Discs / DVD Release 8/29/00 / SRP $26..98 / LAST YEAR: 4 |
 VOTERS' VOICES: -"A brilliantly creepy film coupled with some of the most compelling special features. The featurette on colour timing alone is worth the price for those who've wondered about this process." -"Stylish film, engrossing DVD with all sorts of extras." -"New Line just sets the standard." -"Even after a year that's had some exceptional releases, it still carries a punch." |
6)
Se7en: Platinum Series David Fincher's dark mystery/thriller Se7en blew the minds of audiences upon its 1995 theatrical release. It was the first in a string of Fincher films to successfully get audiences to think beyond standard genre conventions, engaging them psychologically and pulling a few surprises along the way. Whether you find it brilliant, depressing, revolting, or all of the above, Se7en is one 90s film most likely to generate a reaction of some kind. Se7en doesn't divide audiences the way Fincher's Fight Club would, and if nothing else, the film is memorable. The disturbing nature and details of the film linger long after the film's end credits are finished scrolling down. Initially released as a vapid "flipper", New Line gave Se7en the treatment it deserves two years ago, when it was released as a full-blown 2-disc Platinum Series DVD. The pristine anamorphic transfer and the full-force DTS-ES and DD-EX audio tracks were overseen by the filmmakers. Speaking of filmmakers, there are four full-length audio commentaries, in which the cast and crew comment on the visual style, screenplay, editing, sound design and score, and more. Disc Two sheds even more light upon the film, with storyboards of an alternate ending, a featurette on those crazy Notebooks, featurettes on color, production and sound design, plus the standard EPK featurettes. They're all there and it will take you a long time to go through. Overall, a film and DVD package undoubtedly worth checking out. |
| 1995, New Line / 2 Discs / DVD Release 12/26/00 / SRP $29.99 / LAST YEAR: 5 |
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