The 100 Greatest DVDs Page 2
Titans' rousing tale of turmoil, triumph, and football is even more so on this Dolby Digital 5.1/DTS THX-certified 2.35:1 anamorphic DVD. The best of the many extras is the commentary by real coaches Herman Boone and Bill Yoast.
79 - The Silence of the Lambs Special Edition (MGM/UA)
It's back in an anamorphic, 5.1-channel special edition, with a new documentary, previously unseen outtakes, and 20 minutes of first-rate cut scenes.
78 - Manhunter Limited Edition (Anchor Bay)
THX-certified and remastered for 5.1, the 1986 Lambs prequel is enhanced by two featurettes and a trailer. A second disc carries Michael Mann's director's cut, an interesting dramatic alternative that's hardly demo material.
77 - The Ultimate Scream Collection (Buena Vista)
The soft-spoken Wes Craven opens up on a series of commentary tracks, and there are cut-above extras on all three movie platters. A fourth DVD/DVD-ROM sports a documentary, outtakes, screen tests, and an edit-from-your-sofa feature.
76, 75, 74 - The Evil Dead: The Book of the Dead
Evil Dead II Limited Edition Tin
Army of Darkness Limited Edition (all Anchor Bay)
The ultimate versions now incorporate Anchor Bay's horrifyingly beautiful new Book of the Dead, with state-of-the-art DTS 6.1 sound. All three include commentary with the Man, star Bruce Campbell, keeping the mood as entertaining as the movies themselves.
73 - The Abyss (20th Century Fox)
View the popular theatrical cut and the grander, more-satisfying special edition mounted years later, with 28 additional minutes reinstated via seamless branching. The making-of documentary is one of the most absorbing ever created for home video.
72 - The Exorcist 25th-Anniversary Special Edition Warner Brothers)
Restored and transferred to director William Friedkin's specifications, this best-ever presentation includes commentary by Friedkin and author/screenwriter William Peter Blatty, an intense documentary, plus sound-effects tests.
71 - From Dusk Till Dawn Collector's Series (Buena Vista)
A bikini-clad Salma Hayek dances with a giant snake. Need more? This remastered vampire adventure boasts inky blacks, enveloping surround, and above-average froufrou. The second disc offers Full-Tilt Boogie, the substantive making-of featurette.
70 - Dracula (1931) (Universal)
The summit of the many Universal Monsters is Bela Lugosi's signature performance, with the option of expert commentary or a newly composed musical score by Philip Glass in five channels—or you can watch the complete Spanish version, another bit of film history.
69 - Braveheart (Paramount)
The vibrant anamorphic video brims with lush green hills, and the surround sound puts you on the front lines of the sprawling battlefields. Bonuses include Mel Gibson's only commentary track and a very watchable making-of documentary.
68 - Being John Malkovich (USA)
Malkovich puts you inside John's head, an effect well served by the 5.1 channels. The bonus features present a look at the art of…background driving?
67 - Bridge on the River Kwai Limited Edition (Columbia TriStar)
The restored Kwai is a classic that doesn't disappoint. A second disc offers a modern look at every aspect of the production, and even the rantings of filmmaker John Milius.
66,65 - Alien
Aliens (both 20th Century Fox)
Both Alien and its superior sequel are THX-certified. Alien contains a new director's commentary track and an isolated Jerry Goldsmith musical score, while Aliens is the eye-opening 154-minute director's cut.
64 - Charlie's Angels (Columbia TriStar)
The film's fun carries over to this anamorphic/5.1-channel disc, bursting at the seams with music videos, bloopers, deleted scenes, and commentary by the cryptically named but energetic director McG.
63 - The Nightmare on Elm Street Collection (New Line)
All seven of the darkly illusory, tongue-in-cheek films are here in best-ever audio and widescreen video, but the eighth disc is itself a macabre nightmare of trivia. Not for the timid nor for those with little time to kill.
62 - El Mariachi/Desperado (Columbia TriStar)
Columbia TriStar gives us parts one and two of Robert Rodriguez's bullet-riddled opus on the same disc, both with director commentary and the "10 Minute Film School" featurette. Deep blacks and a wide dynamic range make Desperado top-notch demo material, too.
61 - King Crimson: deja VROOOM (Rykodisc)
Alternate angles allow you to favor your musician of choice, but this DTS/Dolby Digital 5.1 disc also lets you switch the mix, placing that musician's instrument front and center for the song.
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