Your Top 10 DVDs of 2007 (1 Viewer)

[TravisR]

Now that Blade Runner has been released, it seems safe for everyone to start their Top 10 DVDs Of The Year lists*.

I haven't had the chance to watch Blade Runner yet so I'm going to hold off posting my list until I do.



*I know there's still one more release week left in the year but there doesn't seem to be too much coming out (except American Pie Presents Beta House which I expect will top many lists ).

 

[Eric Peterson]

This is a tough one this year. My only obvious pick is #1 since I've been waiting on that title for more that 10 years.

1. Ace in the Hole - Criterion
2. Popeye (1933-1938) - Warner Brothers
3. Ford at Fox - Fox
4. Nirvana Unplugged
5. Mickey Rooney & Judy Garland Boxset - Warner Brothers
6. Woody Woodpecker, The Walter Lantz Archives - Universal
7. Bram Stoker's Dracula - Collector's Edition - Sony
8. David Gilmour - Remember That Night
9. Film Noir Box #4 - Warner Brothers
10. W.C. Fields Boxset #2 - Universal

I'm very interested to see what others think.

 

[Patrick McCart]

Not in any order

1. The Jazz Singer (3-Disc SE) [Warner]
2. Popeye the Sailor: Volume One (1933-1938) [Warner]
3. Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Volume Five [Warner]
4. Help! (2-Disc SE) [Capitol/Apple]
5. The Third Man: Criterion Collection (2-Disc SE)
6. The Adventures of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit (Walt Disney Treasures)
7. Woody Woodpecker and Friends: Classic Cartoon Collection [Universal]
8. The Films of Alejandro Jodorowsky [ABKCO/Anchor Bay]
9. The Films of Kenneth Anger (Vol. 1 and Vol. 2) [Fantoma]
10. Stanley Kubrick Collection (Director's Series) [Warner]

Honorable mentions:

Breathless: Criterion Collection
The Graduate: SE [MGM/Fox]
Deliverance (Deluxe Edition) [Warner]
Pan's Labyrinth (2-disc Platinum) [New Line]
The Departed (2-disc SE) [Warner]
All Quiet on the Western Front (Cinema Classics remaster) [Universal]
Scarface (1932, Cinema Classics) [Universal]
Arabian Nights (Cinema Classics) [Universal]
Trading Places (SE) [Paramount]
A Christmas Carol (1951, 2-disc SE) [VCI]
The Jungle Book (Platinum Edition) [Disney]
Universal's multi-film collections (Sci-Fi Ultimate Collection, Classic Horror Archive, W.C. Fields Vol. 2, etc)
Gumby Essentials (A+ restorations, original sound, and a cheaply priced disc) [Classic Media/Genius]

Needed more work:

Peter Pan (Platinum Edition) - Wasted most of the 2nd disc with a dumb repeat of the movie
Battleship Potemkin (Kino) - Great restoration, but wasted 2nd disc with repeat with English intertitles and very few extras
Ratatouille - I guess giving BluRay more extras makes sense, but this should have had a full-on DVD

Unfortunately, I haven't purchased any Fox DVDs this year. I'm sure the John Ford set would be high on my list!

 

[CineKarine]

1. Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland Boxset - Warner
2. Classic Musicals from the Dream Factory, vol. 2 - Warner
3. Miracle in the Rain (56) - Warner
4. A Date with Judy (48) - Warner (DD exclusive)
5. With a Song in My Heart (52) - Fox
6. Doris Day Collection, vol. 2 - Warner
7. Alice Faye Collection vol. 1 - Fox
8. Film noir vol. 4 - Warner
9. Esther Williams Collection, vol. 1 - Warner
10. Literary Classics Collection - Warner

When I say that Warner rules, boy do I mean it!!!

 

[Roger Rollins]

1.-The Jazz Singer-Warner
2.-That's Entertainment Collection-HD-DVD-Warner-(just got it yesterday-WOW!)
3.-Mickey Rooney/Judy Garland Collection-Warner
4.-Blade Runner-Ultimate Collector's Edition HD DVD-Warner
5.-Popeye The Sailor V.1-Warner
6.-Film Noir Collection V.4-Warner
7.-Treasures III-National Film Preservation Foundation/Image
8.-Looney Tunes Golden Collection V.5-Warner
9.-Esther Williams Collection-Warner
10.- (tie) Ace in the Hole-Criterion and Classic Musicals From the Dream Factory V.2-Warner

Honorable Mention:

WB's Cult Camp Classics Series
Paramount's I Love Lucy Boxed Set
New Line's Hairspray (2007) 2 Disc Set
Warner's amazing HD DVD upgrade on VIVA LAS VEGAS
Criterion's Berlin Alexanderplatz

Also, a special nod to Time-Life's MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. lollapalooza

Fox's ambitious FORD AT FOX box might have snuck in to my Honorable Mention list had they not decided against doing what it took to use the very-much-in-existence original Movietone track on FOUR SONS. Ouch!

 

[Thommy...M]

1. FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS / LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA - 5 Disc Collectors Edition
2. THE SAND PEBBLES
3. CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND - 30th Anniversary Edition

The Clint Eastwood set was superb...best DVD purchase all year.
Two fantastic films and the abundance of extras all enhance the experience.

 

[TravisR]

A boatload of TV made my list and a number of theatrical releases made my honorable mention.

In alphabetical order:

Ace In The Hole: I'd have been happy if they just released the movie but Criterion did their usual excellent job on the A/V and the supplements.

Blade Runner: I'm only a casual fan of Blade Runner (I only got the four disc set) and having just watched the final cut and a little bit of the documentary, I must say that this an excellent release and must be a wet dream for hardcore fans.

Futurama: Bender's Big Score: Futurama returns in a hilarious movie and the same quality supplements of the season releases are back too.

The Jazz Singer: The set is worth buying for the extras alone.

Lost: Season Three: I loved the episodes. The episodes look great and has very nice features.

Seinfeld: Season Eight and Season Nine: The last two sets of what is arguably the best TV releases ever made.

The Simpsons: Season Ten and The Simpsons Movie: The movie was a great time and S10 is what I consider one of the last great seasons of the series. The season set has the expected commentaries on every episode which are worth the price of admission alone.

Twin Peaks: The Complete Series: One of the best TV shows of all time. Great looking episodes and top notch supplements. Even if you have the other releases of the show, this is a must for any Twin Peaks fan.

24: Season Six: The weakest season of 24 but the A/V quality of the episodes are excellent. There's twelve commentaries and a bunch of behind the scenes stuff that both go beyond the usual writer or director POV. They highlight production design, music, stunts, etc. which is a different angle (especially for a TV release).

The Adventures Of Young Indiana Jones: Volume One and Volume Two: For me, it was worth buying just for the 60 or so (between the two sets) excellent documentaries on the events and people that Indy witnesses.

Honorable mention:
Death Proof
Film Noir Collection: Volume Four
Heroes: Season One
Inland Empire
Planet Terror
the three Walt Disney Treasures
Zodiac (the DVD is barebones but I loved the movie)

I'm sure I'll read more lists and have many "Oh, crap. I totally forgot that one!" moments.

 

[rich_d]

To be honest, as the years go by there is less and less to get excited about either in anticipation or what gets delivered. So this year had some nice releases but much of it just seems to be ho-hum releases.

The things that make my list are fine movies, presented well and at a decent price and/or value. Those of you that know me, know that I have little interest in fantastic releases of mediocre films. Just whip cream on shite.

In order:

1. Blade Runner - 5 Disc (HD). Easily available at $27 bucks this was a terrific film at a great price point. Still working through a lot of the content but this is a no-brainer. Video is very good and and audio is even better. However, if you're thinking about getting this bypass the briefcase edition with the cheap-ass plastic toys you wouldn't hand to a six year old for free.

2. Ace in the Hole. Terrific film that I've thought more about than any other release this year.

3. 2001: A Space Odyssey (HD). Great film that truly takes advantage of the hi-def format. Btw, the Stanley Kubrick Boxset was uninspired, to say the least.

4. Children of Men. Terrific film.

5. Pan's Labyrinth. Terrific film.

6. Volver. Terrific film.

7. Casino Royale. Fun and interesting debut film for Mr. Craig. Strong replay value.

8. Shortbus. Strange but interesting and well written film. It has perhaps the best title sequence I've seen in years.

9. Disturbia. Who doesn't like Hitchcock?

10. Twin Peaks - Definitive Gold Box Edition. Could have been a lot more definitive if they brought over the extras from Season Two Boxset, but I guess that was just too hard for them to pull off.

Honorable mentions:

To Catch A Thief
The Graduate
Death Proof
The Searchers (HD) yes it was last year but just a beautiful release
The Lady Vanishes
Help!
Hearts of Darkness
Chinatown (better image but uninspired extras)

 

[rich_d]

bump

 

[Charles H]

THE ADVENTURES OF OSWALD THE LUCKY RABBIT, CHARLEY'S AUNT, A BIG HAND FOR THE LITTLE LADY, FORD AT FOX, THE JAZZ SINGER, SHATTERED, THE TYRONE POWER COLLECTION, CRAZY LOVE, RESCUE DAWN, ARREST AND TRIAL.

 

[Travis Brashear]

1) Blade Runner: The Final Cut--Ultimate Collector's Edition (5 Disc)
2) Twin Peaks--Definitive Gold Box Edition (10 Disc)
3) Close Encounters of the Third Kind--30th Anniversary Ultimate Edition (3 Disc)
4) Stanley Kubrick Directors Series (10 Disc)
5) Troy: Director's Cut--Ultimate Collector's Edition (2 Disc)
6) RoboCop--20th Anniversary Collector's Edition (2 Disc)
7) U2: Popmart, Live From Mexico City--Deluxe Limited Edition Digipak (2 Disc)
8) The Sergio Leone Anthology (8 Disc)
9) Roots--The Complete Collection (10 Disc)
10) Big--Extended Edition (2 Disc)

 

[RickER]

I might have to check out Ace in the Hole. I have never even heard of it, and i am a classic movie fan!
My favorites, in order:
1 Blade Runner (blu-ray)
2 Close Encounters (blu-ray)
3 Ratatouli (blu-ray)
4 Transformers (DVD)
5 2001 (blu-ray)
6 Full Metal Jacket (new blu-ray version)
7 Hawaii 5-0 season 1 (DVD)
8 Die Hard Collection (blu-ray)
9 Doctor Who-series 3 (DVD)
10 Deliverance (blu-ray)

 

[mike kaminski]

Other than Blade Runner?

-Sergio Leone Anthology (if only for Duck You Sucker)
-Close Encounters
-2001 SE
-Breathless Criterion
-Drunken Angel Criterion
-Dracula SE
-Taxi Driver SE
-Three Stooges Collection
-Hearts of Darkness

I wish I had the money to include Ford at Fox. For me, it was the Kubrick and Leone box sets that really were the stand-out release this year. I'm surprised to find the Leone set not getting mentioned anywhere; this WAS a 2007 release, no?

 

[oscar_merkx]

my money goes to Ford at Fox for dvd of 2007

 

[John Hodson]

My spending has been a little curtailed this year, thus I still have several releases that could have made it to this top 10 in my wish list rather than on my shelves. Similarly, I caught up with several titles - chief among them Universal's delightful Cecil B. DeMille Collection - that would have made it had they been released in '07. However, in no particular order:

Ford at Fox (R1); bravo to Fox for having the vision and the chutzpah to even think of marketing such a risky proposition and then come up with a truly gorgeous collection.

Blade Runner; The Ultimate Collectors Edition (R2); and bravo to Warners - and Ridley Scott - for coming up with a collection that is one of the few to deserve the epithet 'Ultimate'.

Nosferatu (R2) - Eureka's MoC release is without doubt the best release yet of Murnau's seminal horror classic. Superb.

The Tyrone Power Collection (R1); despite the flaws, another very worthy effort from the increasingly impressive Fox, and a terrific showcase for one of Hollywood's true greats.

Ace in The Hole (R1); what can you say about one of best films ever made? Brilliant transfer (window-boxing notwidthstanding), excellent extras.

The Tony Hancock Collection (R2); all that survives of the tragic comic genius that was The Lad Himself on BBC television, including the revealing and slightly heartbreaking 'Face to Face', in one box. For sheer nostalgia, and ignoring the irritating flaws, just pips Network's The Prisoner box as my TV set of the year.

Warners Film Noir Collection Vol. 4 (R1); Warners are now well into the swing of this line right now; Vol. 4 represented excellent value for money, with the usual standard of transfers and nice extras.

Bigger Than Life (R2); this BFI release was a very pleasant surprise, with the British Film Institute living up to the claim that they are the 'British Criterion'. A beautiful transfer, excellent extras, nice packaging.

The Early Hitchcock Collection (R2); a nine film collection from The Master, with Optimum / Studio Canal providing the mostly excellent transfers mixed with a smattering of interesting extras.

If.... (R2); one of British cinema's most challenging, acerbic films from Lindsay Anderson. Paramount's UK release more or less mirrored Criterion's R1 with a beautiful transfer and probably the commentary track of the year.

Honourable mentions: Fox Horror Classics Collection (R1), Two-Lane Blacktop (R1), Under The Volcano (R1), The Prisoner 40th Anniversary SE (R2), The Robert Mitchum Signature Collection (R1), The Cowboys SCE (R1), The Ernest Hemingway Collection (R1), Zulu; 2-disc SE (R2).

 

[SD_Brian]

Caligula: Three Disc Imperial Edition.

Possibly the best DVD of a really bad movie ever made. It's nirvana for people who enjoy tales of behind-the-scenes squabbling and egos run amok.

I've blogged extensively about this title on my myspace page so check it out if you want to read more of my unsolicited opinion.

I've yet to see every DVD released this year and my Blade Runner and Twin Peaks sets wont arrive until late next week but I will be pleasantly surprised if either of them exceeds my experience with The Imperial Edition of Caligula so, on my list, it is #1. Of course the movie of Caligula is still #2, but that's a whole other story.

 

[Paul_Scott]

standard definition DVD

10) Fim Noir Collection Vol 4/ Two Lane Blacktop (Criterion)
9) The Michael Shayne Mysteries
8) Mickey Rooney Judy Garland Collection
7) The Joan Collins Collection
6) The Fugitive Season 1 Vol 1
5) A Canterbury Tale (Criterion)
4) Jean de Florette/ Manon of The Spring
3) The Silent Partner
2) Ace In The Hole (Criterion)
1) The Secrets Of Isis

High Definition

10) The Fifth Element (remastered)
9) A Room With A View
8) Star Trek TOS Season 1
7) Pride And Prejudice
6) Casino Royale
5) Battlestar Galactica
4) Close Encounters Of The Third Kind
3) Heroes Season 1
2) Planet Earth
1) Blade Runner