DVD Talk: December 2013 Archives

2013 had a lot of great releases to home video. The DVD Talk review panel looked back on the past 12 months and selected the best-of-the-best, the 10 discs that we'd most want to have on our shelves. It is a diverse group, from a silent classic to movies that had their theatrical release this past year. Japanese anime made the list, as did a series of French films, a collection of classic horror flicks staring a well known actor, comic book inspired animation, and a nearly forgotten TV show from 1976. From arthouse films to the chanbara (action-filled Japanese sword fighting movies) series that starts off the list, there is something for every taste. Read on to see which films and collections made it to DVD Talk's Top 10 Releases of 2013.

Check out DVD Talk's latest reviews of movies that are in theatrical release. This week's crop includes: The Wolf of Wall Street [another review] - Martin Scorsese and a stellar cast (including Leonardo DiCaprio can be seen in one of the best performance of his career) create a film that is filled with wit, charm, and humor; The Secret Life of Walter Mitty [another review that doesn't pull its punches] - Ben Stiller stars and directs this movie based on the classic James Thurber story; and Saving Mr. Banks - Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson star in this intriguing look at what it took for Disney to secure the rights to Mary Poppins. Other recent films include: Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues, Her, The Past, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, American Hustle, The Armstrong Lie, Inside Llewyn Davis, Out of the Furnace, Frozen (3D), Nebraska, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Thor: The Dark World, and Dallas Buyers Club, 12 Years a Slave. Check out these, and more, in DVDTalk's Theatrical Review section.

This week the DVD Savant has a number of new reviews and articles including: The Golden Voyage of Sinbad - The new HD transfer for this Ray Harryhausen's two production is good, and completely rescues the fire from the greenish murk of most previous versions; Nashville - This 1975 effort is Robert Altman's biggest party picture, with upwards of twenty characters in most group scenes, but the film's many fans love its characterizations and laid-back, superficial satire; and DVD Savant Picks The Most Impressive Discs of 2013 - Come and marvel at the infinite wisdom of this list -- or alternately, ask yourself once again just where some of these choices could possibly come from... this is the armload of 2013 discs the Savant would save if my house were sucked into an interdimensional black hole, and he could only make one trip to the shelves. Read all this and more in this week's DVD Savant.

Some great TV shows have made their way onto DVD this week including: Justified: The Complete Fourth Season - a cop drama with a little something extra, full of great characters and sharp writing; Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Special: The Day of the Doctor - this special lived up to the hype and featured a great script, some strong effects work, some wonderful performances and all the thrills, chills and laughs you could want out of a top tier Who story; and Kukla, Fran and Ollie - The First Episodes, Vol. 3 - a slightly surreal and immensely fun children's program from the 50's that doesn't talk down to its audience and never takes itself seriously. Other shows recently reviewed include: Futurama: Volume Eight, Maverick: The Complete Third Season, and Aaahh!!! Real Monsters: The Complete Series. Want more? Check out all of the TV on DVD reviews in the DVD Talk database.

Only a small percent of the DVD and Blu-ray discs that are released are able to earn the coveted DVD Talk Collector Series rating. Here are some impressive sets that have been awarded our highest rating: The Buster Keaton Collection - ten features and many shorts from one of the greatest film comedians of all time; Bruce Lee - The Legacy Collection - The man who brought Hong Kong cinema to mainstream western audiences gets an impressive set featuring four of his films and copious extras; and James Dean: Ultimate Collector's Edition - all of the star's feature films are included in this Blu-ray release which offers significant improvements over the DVD versions. Other Collector Series reviews include: Ultimate Gangsters Collection: Classics ], House of Cards Trilogy, and 3 Films By Roberto Rossellini Starring Ingrid Bergman. Be sure to check out our DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

Our reviewers have been busy this week, filling the DVD Talk Review Database more great entries. Some new reviews of note include: The Wolverine - director James Mangold has delivered a surprise with this distinctive and meditative franchise spin-off that manages to flesh out the popular character; Big: 25th Anniversary Edition - this movie still manages to hold up after 25 years largely due to Tom Hanks excellent performance; and The Ghost and Mrs Muir -this classic is a marvelously moody film about loneliness and loss, and a life lived without love. Other recent reviews include: Ingenious, Danny Kaye: Goldwyn Years, and Bruce Weber: The Film Collection. Visit the DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

Wondering what to do with visiting relatives the weekend before Christmas? Why not take them to the movies? Check out DVD Talk's reviews of the latest theatrical releases including Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues - if you're looking to have a party at the cinema this holiday season this Will Ferrell flick is definitely the way to go; Her - one of the best films of the year... it completely immerses its audience into its world with its strong characters and incredibly well-written screenplay; and The Past - an incredibly captivating dramatic piece of cinema that will keep your attention. Other recent films include: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, American Hustle, The Armstrong Lie, Inside Llewyn Davis, Out of the Furnace, Frozen (3D), Nebraska, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Thor: The Dark World, and Dallas Buyers Club, 12 Years a Slave.. Check out these, and more, in DVDTalk's Theatrical Review section.

Interested in the latest TV on DVD reviews? DVD Talk has you covered! This week's notable entries include: The Simpsons: Season 16 - a very strong collection of truly funny and frequently quite clever doses of animated comedic insanity; The FBI: The Complete Sixth Season - Some of the series best episodes are included in this consistently entertaining and well crafted crime actioner; and Good Luck Girl: Complete Series - easily one of the funniest anime series out there with tons of laugh out loud moments and a story that seemed like your standard fare that turned into something special. Other shows recently reviewed include: Space Stars: The Complete Series, Doctor Who: The Doctors Revisited 5-8, and Maken-Ki! Battling Venus: The Complete Series. Want more? Check out all of the TV on DVD reviews in the DVD Talk database.

This week the DVD Savant has a number of new reviews and articles including: Desk Set - This vehicle for Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn is an early example of movies about the new corporate climate, where automation is a constant threat and higher-ups keep employees in the dark; Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion - Perhaps the best political thriller from Italy's 'committed action' years, Elio Petri's thriller investigates a police chief so arrogant about his special security powers that he commits a murder and leaves plenty of evidence, knowing that his own staff will never think of suspecting one of their own; and Mary Poppins - A full-on restoration brings Walt Disney's happiest live-action / animation film to Blu-ray in terrific shape. Suffragettes and father issues aside, it's a delight to see Julie Andrews take command, while Dick Van Dyke cavorts in what is easily his best movie performance. Read all this and more in this week's DVD Savant.

There are some new titles coming out that might make it worth a trip to the video store this week. Check out these recent releases: Raiders of the Lost Ark [review] - a truely great flick, and looks and sounds simply spectacular in HD; Prisoners [review] - a challenging, complex thriller fueled by intriguing ideas, moral consequences, and a strong ensemble cast; and The Blue Angel [review] - this classic film is a fantastic showcase for the talented cast (including the incomparable Marlene Dietrich) and a great example of Josef von Sternberg's talents as a director. Other reviews of note include Crawlspace [review], and the much maligned film The Lone Ranger [review]. Be sure to check out our DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

Pulp Fiction: The Complete Story of Quentin Tarantino's Masterpiece

Writer Jason Bailey has created a wildly entertaining exploration of Quentin Tarantino's best known film with his 200-page hardcover book Pulp Fiction: The Complete Story of Quentin Tarantino's Masterpiece. Covering all things Pulp and expanding into the surrounding Tarantino universe, this book is a must-have item for cinephiles. The book has articles on Tarantino's early work including several scrapped projects as well as delving into the film's script, production, and a detailed account of the filming. From stories about the night shoots, improvising, and on-set mishaps to an extended flow chart of the film's chronology and a filming locations map this handsomely illustrated and very well written book deserves a place in any home theater. Be sure to read William Harrison's entire review of Pulp Fiction: The Complete Story of Quentin Tarantino's Masterpiece and then pick up a copy for the film buff on your holiday gift list!

This week the DVD Talk Review Database has some great new entries, including a few discs you may have overlooked. Recent DVD reviews include: Mary Poppins: 50th Anniversary Edition - a perennial family favorite, thanks in large part to Julie Andrews' career-defining performance and the Sherman Bros.' memorable songs; Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman - One of Criterion's best-ever home video releases, this set includes 25 great feature films plus many valuable extras; and Martin Scorsese's World Cinema Project - another Criterion release, this is a well-curated collection of six films that begs for more like it... if you have never been exposed to any of these movies before, then you're in for quite a trip. Other recent reviews include: Adore, Hannah Arendt, and The Hunt. Visit the DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

Check out DVD Talk's latest reviews of movies that are in theatrical release. This week's crop includes: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - an absolute blast that has fixed a lot of the issues found in the previous picture; American Hustle - Christian Bale and Amy Adams are partners in crime in this truly wonderful film; and The Armstrong Lie - acclaimed documentarian Alex Gibney turns his camera's eye on cyclist Lance Armstrong and tries to unravelling the knotted truth about his racing career and doping. Other recent films include: Inside Llewyn Davis, Out of the Furnace, Frozen (3D), Nebraska, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Thor: The Dark World, Dallas Buyers Club, 12 Years a Slave, The Counselor, and Blue is the Warmest Color. Check out these, and more, in DVDTalk's Theatrical Review section.

More TV shows have made their way on to DVD, and DVD Talk has got them covered. Check out our reviews of the newest TV releases including: Breaking Bad: The Final Season - is what drama is all about... the final set of shows continues the tradition of excellence that the show was known for and wraps the show up perfectly; Diagnosis Murder - The Complete Collection - Dick Van Dyke stars in this series that is often a lot of fun and this Complete Collection is the best and most convenient route to enjoying it; and The Rutles Anthology - Eric Idle's mockumentary on the "Pre-Fab Four" is essential viewing for any Beatles or Monty Python fan. Other shows recently reviewed include: Gentle Ben: Season One, Danguard Ace: The Movie Collection, and Magic City: The Complete Second Season. Want more? Check out all of the TV on DVD reviews in the DVD Talk database.

This week the DVD Savant has a number of new reviews and articles including: Into the Arms of Strangers: Stories of the Kindertransport - Arnold Leibovit's theatrical collection of George Pal Puppetoon short subjects is just the headliner item on this two-disc collection. The 1987 feature contains a number of Puppetoons, but twenty more are included as extras; Russian Ark - It's a movie with hundreds, maybe thousands of extras. Complicated camera moves glide through 33 grand halls of the Hermitage Museum ending in a bravura dance sequence, and it's all composed in one unbroken shot of maybe 94 minutes' duration; and Mystery Science Theater 3000 25th Anniversary Edition Collectable Tin - It's a gift box, in a metallic collector tin, of a tall stack of some of the most requested MST3K episodes including Joel Hodgson's last and Michael T. Nelson's first. Read all this and more in this week's DVD Savant.

There are a few new releases this week that you won't want to miss. Check out these hot titles: Despicable Me 2 [review] - this sequel is great fun to watch, and the kids who loved the original are likely to be enamored of this one as well; Grey Gardens [review] -This Blu-ray set contains both films about the Beales... they hold up very well to repeat viewings and provide ample insight into two completely eccentric counter-culture heroines; and You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet [review] - an astonishing movie that hardcore arthouse film fans are going to want to own. Other reviews of note include Touchy Feely [review], Fairy Tail - Movie: Phoenix Priestess [review], and Jayne Mansfield's Car [review]. Be sure to check out our DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

Some great DVD and Blu-ray reviews have been added to the the DVD Talk Review Database recently including: Argo: The Declassified Extended Edition - the most definitive release of the film available to date with both the theatrical and extended editions included, as well as many supplements that are new to this release; Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion: Criterion Collection - Gripping, well-acted and consistently engaging, Elio Petri's film remains fresh and vibrant more than 40 years after its original release; and Deceptive Practice: The Mysteries and Mentors of Ricky Jay - fans of magic and illusion will not want to miss this movie, a great primer on past masters who helped inform one of the present ones. Other recent reviews include: Crawlspace, The Gangster, and Murder University. Visit the DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

Planning a trip to the local multiplex this weekend? Here are DVD Talk's reviews of the latest theatrical releases: Inside Llewyn Davis - a film that tells a memorable story and is well-worth the price of admission; Out of the Furnace - a picture about the American heartland... about the way the system lets people down and what they do in response; and The Punk Singer - whether you like stories about music, creative people in general, or individuals who show strength in the face of adversity, this film about singer Kathleen Hanna is essential viewing. Other recent films include: Frozen (3D), Nebraska, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Thor: The Dark World, Dallas Buyers Club, 12 Years a Slave, The Counselor, and Blue is the Warmest Color. Check out these, and more, in DVDTalk's Theatrical Review section.

Farscape: 15th Anniversary Complete Series

TV on DVD remains very popular with more and more favorites being released. New TV reviews include: Farscape: Complete Series 15th Anniversary Edition - one of the zaniest, spellbinding space operas brought to television, full of rich characters and boundless possibilities; Naked City - The Complete Series - a classic TV series that was ahead of its time with notably three-dimensional characters, authentically gritty New York locations, great guest stars, and exemplary writing; and Ice Road Truckers - Season 7 - a guilty pleasure that is still entertaining and, taken with several big handfuls of salt, quite interesting and even informative. Other shows recently reviewed include: Star Trek: The Next Generation - Unification, Mickey's Christmas Carol, and Scream Factory TV Terrors. Want more? Check out all of the TV on DVD reviews in the DVD Talk database.

This week the DVD Savant has a number of new reviews and articles including: The Puppetoon Movie - Arnold Leibovit's theatrical collection of George Pal Puppetoon short subjects is just the headliner item on this two-disc collection. The 1987 feature contains a number of Puppetoons, but twenty more are included as extras; The Blue Angel - Marlene Dietrich & Josef von Sternberg'a Ã¼ber-classic is a fantasy vision of Weimar decadence and expressionistic sensuality. Emil Jannings' clueless professor loses everything for love of a woman who considers him little more than a cute amusement; and Love is a Racket - William A. Wellman is the director of this snappy, cynical tale of a Broadway columnist's scrapes with the underworld and a two-faced girlfriend who uses him to further her career. Read all this and more in this week's DVD Savant.

Mystery Science Theater 3000: 25th Anniversary Edition

This week several great movies and shows are coming out, including a few that shouldn't be missed: Batman: The Brave and the Bold - The Complete First Season [review] - this show embraces the off-the-walls insanity of DC's Silver Age and it is incredibly fun; Saturn 3 [review] - an entertaining mix of 2001: A Space Odyssey and Alien, over the years the film has found a fan base, thanks likely to an odd cast and some decent effects and miniature work; and All the Boys Love Mandy Lane [review] - seven years after this film first hit screens, the arthouse\slasher picture is only now getting a proper release in the U.S. and it was worth the long, long wait. Be sure to check out our DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

Some great DVD and Blu-ray reviews have been added to the the DVD Talk Review Database recently including: Wolf Children - director Mamoru Hosoda's lastest release is an astonishingly powerful film about community, responsibility, identity, and unwavering parental devotion ; Russian Ark: Anniversary Edition - the novlety of Russian filmmaker Alexander Sokurov's film definitely draw you in, while its execution of same will keep you riveted; and Leviathan - a highly recommended film that illustrates the rollercoaster career ride most commercial fishermen endure. Other recent reviews include: Jayne Mansfield's Car, You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet, and In The Fog. Visit the DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

Before you head off to the cinema this weekend, check out DVD Talk's reviews of the latest releases including: Frozen (3D) - This film, based on a fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, is less the warmed over leavings of Pixar and more in line with the recent approximations of the studio's more traditional Princess stories; Nebraska - a movie that believes people can still be good and that they are at their best when being good to each other; and The Congress - Director Ari Folman's latest movie is a mix of live-action and gorgeous, inventive animation and is destined to be a perennial cult film. Other recent films include: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Thor: The Dark World, Dallas Buyers Club, 12 Years a Slave, The Counselor, and Blue is the Warmest Color. Check out these, and more, in DVDTalk's Theatrical Review section.