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Pritch's Top 10 DVDs
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April 16, 2001 - Brian "Digital Clarity" Pritchard (Columnist)
When asked to create a Top Ten DVD List, I had to take into account many, many aspects. What follows is not a list based on the quality of film, but the quality of the DVD. Granted, these films wouldn't even be up for consideration if they weren't any good (hence the absence of crap like M:I-2), but what put them on this list are features such as: the transfer of the print, including image and sound; the quality of the menus; and last, but by no means least, the insurmountable extras. Extras are what define a DVD. Extras are what take the entire experience to a new level, which is what true DVDs are all about. And these 10 selections represent the truest of the true. So here you have it, the Top Ten DVDs of all time (well, so far anyway...).
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10. Ghostbusters
My favorite film on this list, and a terrific DVD that could've only been a little better. The outstanding widescreen transfer comes with a plethora of items, including some interesting and funny commentary from Harold Ramis and Ivan Reitman, deleted scenes, and some clever menus. But they could've included the way-cheesy Ray Parker Jr. video (featuring all four 'Busters) and I know there have to be some outtakes out there somewhere. Oh yeah, and what's with that lame-ass cover art?
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9. Independence Day
Say what you will about the film, you would be hard-pressed to find fault with the DVD, which has probably the coolest menus of any DVD on this list. With the original feature, you get a "special edition" version (adding back a whopping 9 extra minutes of "special" footage that was reasonably removed from the theatrical release), lots of featurettes on the making, and a who-cares-commentary from Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin. Sci-fi buffs dismissed this little nugget of movie excess, but it was good old-fashioned fun in the theaters, and nothing's changed since. And just in case you haven't gotten enough of that whole White House-blowing-up bit, it happens every single time you press play.
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8. The Rock (Criterion Collection)
The newest to DVD on this list, and an impressive effort. Here, we have a rollicking two-disc set loaded with extras from commentary (featuring almost everyone involved with the movie) to crazy-ass outtakes of Ed Harris messing up his lines and going COMPLETELY ape-sh!t about it. Plus the movie's pretty cool, and it represents the last effort to come from uber-producers Simpson & Bruckheimer before Simpson kicked it and Bruckheimer went insane. Watch this one again to remind yourself of just how awful "Con Air" actually was.
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7. Men In Black (Limited Edition)
"That is just cool." So rambles Tommy Lee Jones (over and over) on one of this discs two commentaries, which are enlightening, but only to the degree a movie like this will allow. I must also bring to attention the classy all-black packaging that accompanies this two-disc offering (slightly different from the cheaper one-disc "Collector's Edition", which eschews a lot of the informative stuff and pretty much just gives you the movie) Other than that, you get Will Smith's groovy video, some cool conceptual artistry, and a real nifty editing "workshop" which lets you cut your own version of three different scenes. Oh, and check out the teaser preview for MIB2, a film that hasn't even been made yet. Now THAT is just cool.
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6. Alien
One superior sequel, and two lesser ones, followed this landmark 1979 film. But when it comes to DVD, only "Aliens" could've held a candle to this effort (and I just didn't want James Cameron hogging the list, ok?). Besides, this one has it all. Audio commentary from Ridley Scott, deleted scenes (more importantly - interesting, enlightening deleted scenes), and a track featuring the isolated music score. In addition you get storyboards and artwork to a movie whose look is almost everything. 20 years old at the time of the DVD's release, the film has never looked or sounded better, and the menus are frighteningly cool (taking you right inside the Nostromo). An interesting bonus: an "alternate music" track, which reflects changes made in post production, as well as alternate dialogue and audio directly from the set.
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5. Halloween (Limited Edition)
A classic in every right, as well as the most successful independent movie of all time, this is the oldest film on the list, and it looks fantastic. Along with an impressive 5.1 remix, this disc is filled with trailers, radio spots, and behind the scenes photos. But what puts this DVD in the top half of this list is the second disc featuring a widescreen version of the infamous "TV cut" - which includes additional scenes filmed three years after the original! Originally, these scenes were intended to flesh out the running time for the television premiere, but this extended version remained rare - until now. It looks as good as the theatrical 1978 version, and gives a little more back story to boot. This was an unexpected and extremely generous inclusion, obviously intended to please the hard-core enthusiasts. It worked.
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4. Fight Club
While you may not consider this the best film of all time, you could never argue how damn original it is. Same goes for the DVD, which turned the format upside down with its' everything-and-the-kitchen-sink approach to giving you what you want. This two-disc set astounds with four (!) audio commentaries and lots of behind-the-scenes footage (featuring multiple angles). And if that isn't enough, this disc may end up being your excuse to get a home theatre system. The sound is so crisp and distinct, you'll probably be too busy listening to those buildings blow up at the end to even notice the shot of the spliced-in woody. Especially cool is the blink-and-you'll-miss-it Tyler Durden disclaimer at the beginning. No need for it, of course, just a little something for the fans.
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3. SE7EN
A personal one for me. I absolutely love this film. Needless to say, a tremendous sadness came over me when I saw the original paltry two-sided disc (meaning you actually had to flip the disc over in the middle of the movie! What is this - the Dark Ages?!?!). I decided there MUST be a better disc on the way, and so I waited. And waited. Finally, in December of last year, my wait came to an end, and a fruitful end at that. This two-disc set (each disc is one-sided, thank you very much) is so mind-blowingly jam-packed with cool stuff, it might just make you cry. A remarkable transfer (along with a featurette AND a commentary track explaining the process of the transfer!), DTS 6.1 sound (an extra channel has been added), and way-cool packaging designed to look like John Doe's handiwork are just the tip of the iceberg for this one. In all fairness, Fight Club beat this movie to the punch with the chock-full, two-disc approach, but this is ultimately the better film. And after suffering through all of that pain awaiting this DVD's arrival, this pleasure never tasted so sweet.
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2. The Abyss
Twentieth Century Fox strikes again (and this time, the hardest) with this staggering DVD edition. If you aren't in complete awe of the animated menus, you might actually get around to watching one or two of the hundreds of extras stuffed into this set. Better yet, go ahead and watch one of the two drastically different versions of the film itself (the 1989 version was altered by director James Cameron when he received the go-ahead from Fox to restore it to his original vision in 1993). Hell, watch 'em BOTH and decide for yourself which one is better (the disc includes annotated chapter listings which point out each and every subtle change in the film). No matter, this DVD will keep you enthralled for days, as you explore every aspect of its production. In fact, it would've been Number One on this list, if it hadn't been for Cameron's next flick...
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1. Terminator 2: Judgement Day - Ultimate Edition
An unbelievable DVD in every single respect, and absolutely the best example for showing off the format. You could spend atleast three days rummaging through this phenomenal effort. Anything and everything about this movie has been fanatically and meticulously labored onto this single two-sided disc. Along with the pristine transfer, super-cool menus, and a nifty steel case cover, you receive three - count 'em - THREE versions of the film, along with every aspect of its creation. If they had videotaped James Cameron first coming up with the idea in his sleep, they would've put it on this disc. In fact, I only counted one thing related to this film that was not included on the disc, and that is the Guns N' Roses music video "You Could Be Mine", which featured Arnold (as the T-man himself) strolling through a GNR concert. And whose really going to nit-pick about that? If you can find anything else related to T2 that didn't end up on this DVD, I will give you a big, wet monkey kiss on your big, wet... oops, out of time. See ya!
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Best of the Boxed Set Bonus
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April 16, 2001 - Brian "Multi-Disc" Pritchard (Columnist)
These films didn't make the Top Ten for the simple reason that they involve multiple films. Still, as DVDs go, they are forces to be reckoned with...
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3. Planet Of The Apes: The Evolution
This one gets a big DaddyMonkey salute as the Best Box Set Involving Primates. You get all five films (for better or worse), and a bonus sixth disc featuring the retrospective documentary that aired on the Sci-Fi Channel a few years back (which some say is as interesting as any one of the movies themselves). That, plus some nice transfers (only the original is in 5.1), and you can't really go wrong. Now go buy some bananas and have yourself a Planet marathon, you damn dirty ape. Eeek Eeek!
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2. The Nightmare On Elm Street Collection
One, two, Freddy's coming for you... YOWZA! The "Nightmare" films have always been lumped in with other slasher films, and that is a shame. While they've never been the greatest films (Part 2 is just boring and putrid), many people have overlooked the inventiveness and consistency in these films. Now is your chance to check them out again. What makes this set so incredible is the level of presentation involved. In addition to the excellent packaging set-up (line up all seven - yes, seven - movies and a picture of Freddy is formed), an eighth disc, The Nightmare Encyclopedia, is just that. An interactive maze through a boiler room (with an index in case you get confused) this disc is so full of extras, you might see the same stuff twice and not know it. You get any and every piece of information you did or didn't want to know about this hit-or miss series. Most of the interviews and documentaries shed some light on what they were trying to do over the years, and even the people involved admit they didn't always get it right. It's a fascinating look into what makes a franchise, and it'll make you respect these films just a little more - without all the guilt.
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1. Toy Story 1 & 2 - The Ultimate Toy Box
You are a sad, strange little man if you own a DVD player and not this set. What shocks me more than the outstanding transfers (uniquely taken from the computer archive and not a print negative), the staggering extras (all on a third disc, ladies and gentlemen), or the boffo silver packaging - is the fact that the guys at Pixar seem even more into DVD than me! They actually get on camera and tell you why they are excited about DVD and all the things they're going to do with it over the course of the three discs! Indeed, like the "Nightmare" set, you get everything and more related to these two spectacular films. Commentaries on both are just the beginning, with hidden extras, hilarious outtakes, abandoned story concepts (Part 2 was intended as a mediocre video release), and more. Throw in the fact that "Toy Story 2" did the unthinkable by surpassing its' predecessor in every way, and you've got yourself one really big ball of fun. This is a DVD fan's dream come true - the ultimate toy box indeed.
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