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Top 100 DVD Census 2004: Page 5: #80-61
080 Passion of Joan of Arc: Criterion Collection
It’s no accident that the Criterion Collection discs appear so often in the Top 100 list (and even in the runners-up list). This release of the classic 1928 film, directed by Carl Dreyer, is nothing short of miraculous. The extensive restoration of the film updates it to look thoroughly modern, and the special features include Richard Einhorn’s Voices of Light, an orchestral work inspired by the film that is as much of an achievement as the film itself. Shot off-kilter on unusual sets, the actors were frequently shot in extreme close-up without makeup, and you can spot every crease, wrinkle, and blemish in this wonderful DVD of the classic film.
Released: November 9, 1999 | Criterion Collection | One Disc [Buy]
079 Reservoir Dogs: 10th Anniversary Edition
Quentin Tarantino’s directorial debut is given the proper treatment by Artisan (although some have complained that the image looks “soft” - too bright and blown-out) it’s a minor quibble, as this release looks better than the film has ever looked on home video. Combined with some interesting and some bizarre extras, the only thing missing is more involvement from QT himself. While you may only want to watch the widescreen version of the film, be sure to put the second disc in your player - it holds not only the Full Frame (i.e. Pan & Scan) version of the film, but also contains the other half of the extra features.
Released: August 27, 2002 | Artisan Entertainment | Two Discs [Buy]
078 Grand Illusion: Criterion Collection
It wasn’t their first release, but it’s the first Criterion disc if you count its spine number. Renoir’s film is a classic by any measure, and was a fitting first DVD release from the rightly praised Criterion Collection. While not packed with supplemental features, what is included - a video introduction from the director, production notes, and a radio excerpt of the director receiving an award from the New York Film Critic’s Circle - are fine inclusions, and after all, the film itself is the best special feature anyone could ask for.
Released: November 23, 1999 | Criterion Collection | One Disc [Buy]
077 Punch-Drunk Love: Superbit Special Edition
P.T. Anderson’s latest film takes a look at Adam Sandler films from the inside out: if his archetypal characters were removed from the bawdy comedy genre and had to exist in the real world, how would that person function? What would his role in society be? Sandler fans may find much not to like here, but those interested in a strangely-sweet romance featuring two broken characters and a warehouse full of pudding found a film worthy of much attention. The extras on the second disc are also bizarre and don’t amount to much, although you may find yourself replaying the deleted “Mattress Man” commercial over and over again - it’s one of the funniest clips ever put on disc.
Released: June 24, 2003 | Columbia Tristar Home Video | Two Discs [Buy]
076 Do the Right Thing: Criterion Collection
The film that established Spike Lee as a major voice in American cinema gets a wonderfully full-featured Criterion Collection two-disc set. It’s rare that a film about something as powerful as racism is so even-handed and non-preachy. It’s also very very funny. Shot mostly on location in Bedford-Stuyvesant, the documentary features show how the film was embraced by the community by giving the locals jobs building sets and acting as extras. The video footage showing rehearsals offers an intimate look into the parts of the movie-making process that are rarely seen. Do the Right Thing is a film every movie lover should see, and the supplements are a must-see for those interested in the filmmaking process. This is truly a “film school in a box” experience. Do the right thing and purchase this DVD.
Released: February 20, 2001 | Criterion Collection | Two Discs [Buy]
075 Notorious: Criterion Collection
Alfred Hitchcock and the Criterion Collection make a great pair. While this edition of the film has recently become out of print, you can still find it at various retailers. Do yourself a favour and pick it up before the price skyrockets on the internet auction sites. Starring Ingrid Bergman, Cary Grant, and Claude Rains (it’s too bad they couldn’t get anybody good), the film should appeal to fans of the spy thriller genre, and this is the best way to see it on DVD.
Released: October 16, 2001 | Criterion Collection | One Disc [Buy]
074 Jaws
The first of Spielberg’s major films to appear on DVD, Jaws was a great disc when it appeared in the summer of 2000, and still is considered one of the greatest discs in many collections. The sixty minute documentary is very informative, although it’s condensed from a two-hour documentary produced for the 1995 laserdisc version of the film. Also missing from this disc is the original mono soundtrack (although the DTS version more than makes up for the omission). Jaws is one of the great classic thrillers from the 1970s, and is a must-own for any DVD enthusiast.
Released: July 11, 2000 | Universal Studios | One Disc [Buy]
073 Die Hard Trilogy: Ultimate Collection
The whole is greater than the sum of its parts, and the Die Hard Trilogy boxed set is a wonderful presentation of these three films. While the Die Hard disc appearing below ranked higher than the trilogy set, all three films are worthy of inclusion, especially considering that the set is priced to sell.
Released: July 10, 2001 | Twentieth Century Fox Home Video | Six Discs [Buy]
072 Led Zeppelin DVD
Until the release of this DVD set the only way to see a live Led Zeppelin on film was through their concert movie, The Song Remains the Same. Now, thanks to extensive restoration work, we can see nearly 230 minutes of rock and roll heaven. Featuring concert footage spanning nearly a decade these discs cover Led Zeppelin in all of their glory. Fans of the group have much to be excited about, and the hour and a half of bonus “behind the scenes” features are enough to make Led Heads salivate.
Released: May 27, 2003 | WEA Corp | Two Discs [Buy]
071 Third Man: Criterion Collection
Carol Reed’s film noir thriller about a murder in shell-shocked Vienna is one of the greatest films of all time. Orson Welles improvised a monologue aboard Vienna’s famous ferris wheel that you’ll be reciting to friends and loved ones for weeks after seeing the film. This is becoming a mantra for this list, but Criterion has done a fabulous job bringing this film to disc. Besides a beautifully restored transfer, the DVD also includes a recording of Graham Greene’s original treatment, various radio shows, and footage of composer Anton Karas playing the classic theme on the zither.
Released: November 30, 1999 | Criterion Collection | One Disc [Buy]
070 Amélie: Special Edition
What a charming film! Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s romantic film epitomizes cinèma naïve with this sweet fantasia. The video transfer is beautiful, showcasing the odd colour timing and storybook look. Miramax gave this film quite special treatment, and the extra features will be a joy for fans of this charmer. You can’t watch Audrey Tatou and not smile - her performance carries the film and rewards repeat viewings. If ever there was a film that was made for DVD it’s Amélie.
Released: July 16, 2002 | Miramax Home Entertainment | Two Discs [Buy]
069 True Romance: Unrated Director’s Cut
Warner shows yet again that when they put their minds to it they can do special editions right. Fans of the film’s screenwriter, Quentin Tarantino, are in for a rare treat via the writer’s commentary track (missing from the Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, and Jackie Brown discs). With two more commentaries (director Tony Scott and the two lead actors, Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette), a half an hour of deleted scenes (including an alternate ending), a behind-the-scenes featurette, and selective commentaries with Dennis Hopper, Val Kilmer, Brad Pitt, and Michael Rapaport on key scenes, True Romance delivers true DVD greatness.
Released: September 24, 2002 | Warner Home Video | Two Discs [Buy]
068 Ultimate Ric Flair Collection
What’s that you say? A wrestling DVD making its way into the Top 100? Such a niche title must deliver, and the Ultimate Ric Flair Collection lives up to its name as the ultimate in sports DVDs. Featuring three packed discs of matches, promos, behind the scenes material, and a long interview with Flair, fans of the WWE and of wrestler Ric Flair make this one to pin into your collection.
Released: November 18, 2003 | Sony Music | Three Discs [Buy]
067 Terminator 2: Judgment Day: Extreme Edition
Artisan’s re-re-release of Terminator 2: Judgment Day had fans of the film rolling their eyes. Wasn’t the previous disc called the “Ultimate Edition”? Doesn’t “ultimate” mean “being the last of a series or progression”? In any case, Artisan made sure that the new disc was worth the upgrade: featuring a new commentary track with director James Cameron that is worth the disc’s budget price alone, the new T2 disc also offers a second disc of extras unique to this edition, a new super-crisp transfer that blows the old disc away, and a high-definition version of the film on the second disc playable with the Windows Media Player. You may need to buy a PC to view it, but WOW - the HD image just pops off the screen and gives us a glimpse of the HD future… today!
Released: June 3, 2003 | Artisan Entertainment | Two Discs [Buy]
066 Rashomon: Criterion Collection
Akira Kurosawa’s Rashomon is one of those rare gems: a subtitled Japanese film that people who don’t usually watch subtitled films can enjoy. The story loops back on itself, told through different (often opposing) viewpoints, and deeply rewards repeat viewings. How better to experience the film than on DVD? Criterion has yet again produced a fantastic disc, with a video introduction from Robert Altman, an informative audio commentary by Japanese film historian Donald Richie, and a documentary about Kurosawa’s cinematographer, Rashomon is sure to be remembered.
Released: March 26, 2002 | Criterion Collection | One Disc [Buy]
065 Scarface: Anniversary Edition
While Scarface was released to DVD back in 1998, that flawed edition had been out of print for several years and selling for high prices on internet auction sites. Thankfully, people can retire those old discs and pick up the Scarface: Anniversary Edition which features a new anamorphic widescreen transfer, featurettes about the making of the film, and a bizarre feature on how contemporary rappers were influenced by the film. Also available in a collector’s gift set that includes the 1932 Scarface that has absolutely nothing to do with the 1983 film except that they share the same title.
Released: September 30, 2003 | Universal Studios | Two Discs [Buy]
064 Pearl Harbor: Vista Series
The Pearl Harbor: Vista Series set is an amazing achievement in DVD: a longer cut of the film is spread over the first two discs, while the second two discs contain making-of features and several documentary features regarding the history of the real Pearl Harbor attack. The packaging is clever and gets you in the spirit of the film, although the cardboard sleeves that hold the discs could have been better - be careful not to scratch the discs removing them from the case.
Released: July 2, 2002 | Buena Vista Home Entertainment | Four Discs [Buy]
063 Donnie Darko
Writer/director Richard Kelly’s apocalyptic first film is a much loved DVD. Words cannot begin to describe the oddity of this film, but the DVD was on many lists for good reason: two commentaries, deleted scenes (with optional commentary), a featurette, tv spots, and MORE, this disc delivers.
Released: March 19, 2002 | Twentieth Century Fox Home Video | One Disc [Buy]
062 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
The Disney classic comes to DVD in a spectacular 2-disc special edition, with a long documentary and so many other features on the second disc you’d think the film was made recently. Kirk Douglas and James Mason are fantastic in this Disney-fied telling of the Jules Verne story. It’s great that the Mouse House could include the director, Richard Fleischer, in for an audio commentary (which also features film historian Rudy Behlmer) and the deleted scenes and still galleries will tell you everything you could ever want to know about the making of this film.
Released: May 20, 2003 | Walt Disney Home Video | Two Discs [Buy]
061 E.T.: Ultimate Gift Set
When E.T. was first announced for DVD, Universal proclaimed that the only way to get the 1982 original version of the film was to purchase this expensive gift set. Then they backpeddled and included both the 1982 original and the 2002 digital cartoon CGI version in the regular set. So why did the “Ultimate Gift Set” place so highly on the list? The difference is a THIRD disc of extras exclusive to the set, which also includes a very nice book containing info about the film, photos, and the complete screenplay (which notes where the 2002 version deviated from the 1982 classic), the film’s Soundtrack CD (in a fourth disc) and a collectible senitype (a frame from the film). While it’s disappointing that the 1982 original didn’t get as good a transfer as the 2002 messed-with version, it’s still great to have E.T. on DVD, even if you have to buy the oversized box that doesn’t fit on a standard DVD shelf to get that third disc of extra features and making-of documentaries.
Released: October 22, 2002 | Universal Studios | Three Discs [Buy]
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