cinema review

040 Twin Peaks: Season One

The third David Lynch DVD on the list, the first season of Twin Peaks is available on DVD (due to rights issues the original pilot episode is not included). Artisan has not yet released or announced any further seasons for release but it’s not because this one hasn’t sold well. Rumour has it that there are some rights issues because while Artisan owns the rights to release the DVDs, they do not have ownership or control of the original elements. It’s a bit of a mess, but even if the first season is an orphan it’s still worth a look for fans of the show whose video tapes have long since worn out.

039 Matrix: Special Edition

DVD is the most successful home video format so far, and its rapid adoption owes a bit to The Matrix: Special Edition, arguably DVD’s first “killer app” (meaning that many people bought DVD players so that they could watch this film on DVD). This special edition isn’t so special by today’s standards, but in 2001 Warner released The Matrix Revisited as a separate release (which is also available packaged with The Matrix) that provided a feature-length documentary to make up for any shortcomings of this original release.

038 Warner Legends Collection (The Adventures of Robin Hood / Yankee Doodle Dandy / The Treasure of the Sierra Madre / Here’s Looking at You, Warner Bros.)

While two of the films in this four film set also appear in the Top 100 individually, this boxed set includes an exclusive feature-length documentary, Here’s Looking at You, Warner Bros. that makes this set more than the sum of its parts. Each of the two-disc special editions are excellent. Warner has really done a fantastic job in reinvigorating their catalog of classic films, and this set costs only slightly more (or slightly less, depending on where you buy it) than buying each film individually, plus it includes the seventh bonus disc, which is practically free if you buy the boxed set. Each of these films is a stunning achievement and a worthy part of any home theatre library.

037 The Royal Tenenbaums: Criterion Collection

DVD fans were happy to hear that The Royal Tenenbaums was making its DVD debut via the Criterion Collection. Everything about this set is great, from the transfer to the packaging. Wes Anderson’s audio commentary is worth a listen, and the extras on the second disc enhance the film (except for the fake interviews of the film’s minor characters via the fictional “Peter Bradley Show,” which goes on a little long and is a cheap shot at Charlie Rose-esque interviews). Considering its low price point (exceptionally low for a Criterion 2-disc set), there’s no reason not to pick this one up.

036 Pirates of the Caribbean

It’s surprising that such a recent release has made it so high up into this list - surprising, that is, if you haven’t seen the DVD. Disney really pulled out all of the stops for this terrific set. Some have complained that the transfer is a bit murky, but the extras on the second disc are fun, informative, and compelling. Included are featurettes about the special effects, 19 deleted scenes, a long making-of documentary, three audio commentary tracks, bloopers, worthwhile DVD-ROM features, and other looks behind the scenes of the film. Who would’ve thought an amusement park ride would have produced such a great film, and even better DVD?

035 Boogie Nights: 2-Disc Platinum Edition

There was nothing wrong with New Line’s first single disc version of Boogie Nights, but this new 2-disc set blows the original away. This set includes the original audio commentary track with P. T. Anderson (one of the best ever recorded), but also includes a new one with the film’s cast. Also on deck are deleted scenes with optional director’s commentary, some behind-the-scenes material, and Michael Penn’s music video “Try,” directed by P. T. Anderson.

034 Gladiator: Signature Selection

Gladiator may be one of the most unworthy Best Picture winners ever, but this 2-disc special edition is still a great DVD (and one of the best selling of all time). Included is a great commentary from director Ridley Scott, twenty-five minutes of deleted scenes (with optional director’s commentary), the Learning Channel’s “The Bloodsport of a Gladiator” documentary, an interview with composer Hans Zimmer, two behind-the-scenes featurettes, and more, this set is sure to please the film’s fans.

033 Rushmore: Criterion Collection

Wes Anderson’s hilarious sophomore film is given a great DVD by the Criterion Collection. Featuring a commentary by co-writer/director Wes Anderson, co-writer Owen Wilson and star Jason Schwartzman (they were recorded separately, and then edited into a single track - the result of which means fewer awkward pauses and a better listening experience), screen tests, behind-the-scenes documentaries, Wes Anderson and Bill Murray on the Charlie Rose Show, and the clips made for the 1999 MTV Movie Awards, featuring the Max Fischer Players’s theatrical “adaptations” of Armageddon, The Truman Show, and Out of Sight. Rushmore is one of my favourite films, and this DVD is one that I return to time and time again.

032 Finding Nemo

Another recent release that has risen highly in the Top 100 with a bullet, Finding Nemo is a fine presentation on DVD. The transfer is flawless, considering that the film was transferred digitally. The extra features are fun for both kids and adults (although not as in-depth as any of their previous DVDs), and the menus, which enable you to turn off the text to make your television into a virtual aquarium, are innovative and lots of fun (and quite beautiful). There’s a reason that this film was the highest grossing of 2003, and the DVD cements Pixar’s flawless record of producing great movies and great DVDs.

031 Singin’ in the Rain: Special Edition

Another Warner Bros. classic gets a smashing 2-disc special edition. The restored transfer is so stunning that the colours just pop off the screen. Included on the second disc is a 96-minute documentary about producer-songwriter Arthur Freed, a look at Singin’ in the Rain’s influence, and a deleted musical number. Also included is an audio commentary featuring Debbie Reynolds, Donald O’Connor, Cyd Charisse, Kathleen Freeman, co-director Stanley Donen, screenwriters Betty Comden and Adolph Green, filmmaker Baz Luhrmann, and author/film historian Rudy Behlmer.

030 Adventures of Robin Hood: Special Edition

This film was included above in the “Warner Legends Collection,” but the remastered Adventures of Robin Hood, like The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, stands out on its own. With a new documentary, outtakes and deleted scenes, an Errol Flynn trailer gallery, two shorts, two Looney Tunes cartoons, and other documentaries and features about Technicolor and the various film versions of Robin Hood, this set is packed with features. Warner Bros. two-disc special editions of their classic films may seem to dominate the Top 100, but it’s for good reason: they’re consistently great films made better by the features on DVD.

029 Once Upon a Time in the West

Paramount joins the fray with a stunning new transfer of their classic western Once Upon a Time in the West. Included on the second disc are four documentaries, theatrical trailers, and production notes and cast profiles. The first disc includes an audio commentary from directors John Carpenter, John Milius, Alex Cox, film historian (& Leone biographer) Sir Christopher Frayling, Dr. Sheldon Hall, and comments from cast and crew members. If Paramount releases more of their classics in two-disc editions like this one, we’ll be sure to see them have more of a presence in the Top 100 next year.

028 Three Colors Trilogy (Bleu / Blanc / Rouge)

Krzysztof Kieslowski’s “Three Colors Trilogy” finally comes to DVD in a budget-priced 3-disc boxed set. With remarkable behind the scenes looks at all three films (the featurette with Kieslowski demonstrating his precision with editing a scene of a sugar cube soaking up coffee is emblematic of the care and love he showed all three films), audio commentaries from Kieslowski scholars and cast members, Krzysztof Kieslowski’s cinema lessons, student films, and new interviews with the cast and crew of each film, this set was well worth the wait.

027 Star Wars: Episode 1: The Phantom Menace

On October 16th, 2001, people could say four words they’ve been looking forward to saying since DVD first emerged: “Star Wars on DVD.” The two-disc set includes a worthy audio commentary by writer-director George Lucas, producer Rick McCallum, editor Ben Burtt, animation director Rob Coleman, and visual effects supervisors John Knoll, Dennis Muren, and Scott Squires, deleted scenes with newly completed special effects for the DVD release, multi-angle storyboard to animatic to film segments, the twelve-part documentary originally released in streaming video on StarWars.com, and more. But that’s not all. The best part of this set is the amazing hour-long documentary, “The Beginning: Making Episode I” which shows a surprisingly candid look at the making of the film, without narration, without comment, just a fly-on-the-wall approach to the trials and tribulations of making the film. It’s a rare and remarkable look into the first prequel.

026 Superman: The Movie

Arguably the greatest film based on a comic book ever made, Superman: The Movie is also a great DVD. Featuring an audio commentary by director Richard Donner and creative consultant Tom Mankiewicz, three documentaries providing information about the special effects, production, and development, screen tests, deleted scenes, tv spots, and more. The film on the DVD is a longer version with new and extended scenes (totaling about eight minutes) that enhance the film immeasurably, including longer scenes with Marlon Brando, added scenes on Krypton and in the Fortress of Solitude, more disaster footage, and Lex Luthor’s “Gauntlet of Death” sequence.

025 Memento: Limited Edition

Stories with unreliable narrators are common in fiction, but are rarely explored in cinema. Memento follows a man with severe brain damage, who experiences the world in short several minute bursts before his short term memory is replaced with the present. The film is told in reverse, so that we sometimes have more and sometimes less information than Leonard does. This two-disc Limited Edition (still readily available nearly two years after its release) is much improved over the initial single disc release of the film. Featuring a commentary by director Christopher Nolan, featurettes and making-of features, and other hidden stuff makes for an intriguing set. The only downside is that the menus are so convoluted and confusing that it’s difficult to know if you’ve seen everything on the disc.

024 Moulin Rouge: Special Edition

Moulin Rouge will be remembered as the film that re-invented the movie musical. Director Baz Luhrmann was involved in all aspects of this terrific DVD package, and his involvement has paid off. This set is just packed with great insights into the production, making-of material, behind-the-scenes featurettes, alternate scenes and cuts, music videos, a look at the music and choreography, marketing, promotional material, and more make us scratch our heads when we forget that this didn’t win Best Picture.

023 Snow White: Platinum Edition

Disney’s first animated feature film was also their first “Platinum Edition” title. The cleanup work done specially for this DVD edition is stunning. I can’t imagine the film has ever looked this good, even at its premier. The supplements on the second disc, unlike the Lion King: Platinum Edition are worthwhile and really offer a great look at how this film was made. The menus, hosted by the magic mirror, are also fun, and the disc’s navigation and menus help those unfamiliar with DVD get around.

022 Back to the Future Trilogy

Join Marty McFly and ol’ Doc Brown as they go back to the future from the past, then to the future, then back to the present, then back to the past, then even further back into the past. Whew! Fans of the series will be happy that all three films are finally available in a great 3-disc set with plenty of extras and great transfer. While this release was marred by incorrect framing in the second and third films, Universal offers a trade-in programme to get the fixed “V2” discs.

021 Fantasia Anthology

Disney’s brilliant classic Fantasia, which mixed classical music with Disney animation, and the newer Fantasia 2000 (originally released in the large-format IMAX theatres) along with a bonus disc not available separately, The Fantasia Anthology. The amount of making-of material and extended and deleted scenes is remarkable considering the age of the original film, and Fantasia includes an audio commentary by Walt Disney himself, culled from interview footage and other archival recordings.

Note: This set went on moratorium on 31 January 2004, but should still be available in many retail outlets.