Blu-ray Movie Reviews

Josef Krebs's Top 10 of 2006 Best Picture and Sound on DVD

1. The Searchers (Ultimate Collector's Edition; Warner, 2 discs). This edition's extras alone are worth the money, with their exceedingly informative commentaries and documentaries. The highly detailed, warmly colored images in the movie's restored VistaVision and Technicolor picture - looking like they were shot yesterday - make this set truly special.

2. Young Mr. Lincoln (The Criterion Collection, 2 discs). A beautifully restored picture and crystal-clear sound allow John Ford's masterpiece to be appreciated all over again, especially with the help of such intelligent documentaries.

3. The War of the Worlds (1953, Special Collector's Edition; Paramount). Crisp alien-attack surround effects and a wide array of rich Technicolor hues - from the warm, earthy tones of the small-town setting to the DayGlo greens and oranges of the machines and their death rays - make this an intensely entertaining experience. A commentary, a production documentary, and the Orson Welles radio version only add to the fun.

4. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (Special Edition; Disney, 2 discs). If you're looking for plenty of swashbuckling action in reference-quality picture and sound, you'll find it here, ably supported by in-depth production documentaries and commentary.

5. The Seven Samurai (The Criterion Collection, 3 discs). Akira Kurosawa's classic has been extensively restored to its original brilliance, with a near-spotless picture and crisp, clear mono sound. An alternate, impressively immersive 4.0 remix adds weight to the action.

6. Apocalypse Now (The Complete Dossier; Paramount, 2 discs). The original 1979 film and the 2001 Director's Cut in stunning images and sound, a Francis Ford Coppola commentary, a half-hour of additional scenes, and tons of other illuminating extras - all at a bargain price - make for one impressive DVD set.

7. King Kong (2005, Deluxe Extended Edition; Universal, 3 discs). Thrilling, home-theater-demo set pieces plus Peter Jackson providing his usual plethora of great extras.

8. V for Vendetta (Special Edition; Warner, 2 discs). A sharply detailed picture and clear, crisp sound - even in the cacophonous grand finale - help bring the classic graphic novel to life.

9. The Passenger (Sony). The Director's Cut of Michelangelo Antonioni's mysterious masterpiece has handsome, richly colored images and comes with intelligent commentaries by star Jack Nicholson and author/screenwriter Mark Peploe.

10. Breakfast at Tiffany's (Anniversary Edition; Paramount). After getting an unwatchable initial DVD release, a favorite classic finally receives the transfer and the 5.1-channel mix it deserves.