DVD Talk: December 2015 Archives

More TV shows have made their way on to DVD and Blu-ray, and DVD Talk has got them covered. Check out our reviews of the newest TV releases including: The X-Files - this legendary cult television drama from the 1990's is timeless, remaining just as engaging more than 20 years after it first aired; Flesh and Bone - a bleak, stimulating, emotionally taxing journey through an elevated reality version of New York's ballet culture, one that's daringly focused on provoking the senses through the evolution of a tumultuous, determined dancer thrown into the cutthroat demands of a new production; and Blue Bloods: Season 5 - a police procedural that focuses on the Reagans, three generations of a New York family whose lives have been around or in the Police Department. Want more? Check out all of the TV on DVD reviews in the DVD Talk database.

Recently the DVD Talk review panel looked back on the past 12 months and after a lot of arguing, pleading, and some gnashing of teeth, selected the best-of-the-best, the 10 discs from 2015 that we'd most want to have on our shelves. The result is a diverse group too: from an animated Disney classic to punk rock documentaries and recent blockbusters to rare shorts showing off niche technology, we have included a little bit of everything on the list. Whether you're a fan of musicals or action flicks, there is something for every taste included. Read on to see which films and collections made it to DVD Talk's Top 10 Releases of 2015.

Some cool discs have been reviewed over the past week. Check out these recent entries: Ant-Man - the latest addition to the Marvel franchise is a different kind of hero, an incredible shrinking secret agent with powers wholly unlike his fellow Avengers; Valentino - Ken Russell's biopic of the silent star is a gorgeous looking film set to a great soundtrack and full of fine performances from an interesting and eclectic cast; and Triumph of the Will - Leni Riefenstahl's unsettling Nazi-glorifying documentary still impresses as a vulgar, at times beautiful document of arrogance at its most monumental. Visit the DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

More TV shows have made their way on to DVD and Blu-ray, and DVD Talk has got them covered. Check out our reviews of the newest TV releases including: Game of Thrones: Season Two (Steelbook Edition) - this show avoided the sophomore slump with another terrific ten-episode run... new fans and die-hard collectors may want to snap up this steelbook release while it's still easily available; Weird Loners: The Complete Series - these six episodes offer enough of four enjoyably off-beat characters to get the series on the list of good shows cancelled before they had a chance to find their fan base; and Avatar: The Last Airbender - smart, insightful and thrilling this is a phenomenal show that transcends its as a Nickelodeon animated series. Want more? Check out all of the TV on DVD reviews in the DVD Talk database.

As the biggest holiday in the US is celebrated this week, here are some Christmas-themed movies that would be great to watch with the family this December 25th: White Christmas - this smoothly made 1954 musical captures Bing Crosby at his laid-back, charismatic peak alongside vibrant co-stars Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen; A Christmas Carol (1951) - many would argue that this is the definitive version of Charles Dickens' classic tale on film... Alastair Sim stars as the heartless Ebenezer Scrooge who has one night to mend his greedy ways; and The Nightmare Before Christmas - viewers young and old should really enjoy this Tim Burton-helmed classic... the stop-motion animation is captivating and the songs are top-notch.

Some cool discs have been reviewed over the past week. Check out these recent entries: RiffTrax Live: Santa Claus - the Rifftrax group pokes fun at the 1959 Mexican-made film about everyone's favorite jolly old elf, and the result is hilarious; The Quay Brothers: Collected Short Films - these filmmakers create unique, unsettling, awe-inspiring stop-motion animated films and if you like a bit of mind-bending, this collection is a must-own; and Axe / Kidnapped Coed - an extraordinary collection - not just showcasing two remarkably distinctive films that defy categorization, but piling on seven and a half hours of compelling extras in the process. Visit the DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

At last, the wait is over. One of the most highly anticipated movies finally arrives in theaters. Check out our review of Star Wars: The Force Awakens as well as these other movies currently in theaters: Star Wars: The Force Awakens - writer/director J.J. Abrams gives us a fun adventure that audiences of all ages will enjoy; In the Heart of the Sea - Ron Hoaward driects and Chris Hemsworth stars in this whaling film based on the real-life events that inspired Moby Dick. Other recent films include: The Good Dinosaur, Creed, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2, Spectre, Spectre, Steve Jobs, Bridge of Spies, Room , Sicario, Pan, The Martian (3D). Check out these, and more, in DVDTalk's Theatrical Review section.

TV on DVD remains very popular with more and more favorites being released. New TV reviews include: That '70s Show: The Complete Series - a show with an amazing cast, great characters, excellent writing, and consistently strong direction, the series is funny and enjoyable; Foyle's War: The Complete Saga - an excellent, unusually intelligent detective drama series; and Mystery Science Theater 3000: Volume XXXIV - Two hilarious Joel-era episodes, two somewhat routine Mike-era outings, and an affectionate new documentary on '50s cheese factory American International Pictures make this a great set with a ton of laughs. Want more? Check out all of the TV on DVD reviews in the DVD Talk database.

Looking for something to surprise the movie-lover in your life this holiday season? Consider a disc from Undercrank Productions. They specialize in releasing very rare, entertaining silent shorts and features and all of their discs are worth owning. Here are some of thier best: Accidentally Preserved - there are three volumes to this series (reviews of Volume One, Volume Two and Volume Three) and they're all amazing. Each disc is filled with rarely seen shorts, most coming from the only existing copies which are held in private collector's hands; The Marcel Perez Collection - a must-buy for silent comedy fans. Marcel Perez was an incredibly talented and funny comedian and these ten shorts are a great, and long overdue, overview of his work; and The Family Secret - a feature with Baby Peggy, a child star from the early days of film who was earning one and a half million dollars a year in 1924 (!) but is largely forgotten today. This film, newly restoration by the Library of Congress, aptly shows off her charm and talent. The disc also includes two Baby Peggy shorts that have also been restored and are making their home video debut, as well as some other fun extras. It is quite a package. Be sure to read all of our Undercrank Productions reviews here!

There are a few new releases this week that you won't want to miss. Check out these hot titles: Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation [review] - a fun ride with all the familiar hallmarks of a Mission: Impossible movie in full effect along the way; Ted 2 [review] - this film continues the fun of the first... if you enjoyed the foul-mouthed talking teddy bear in the first installment, you'll likely enjoy this flick too ; and Roger Waters The Wall Special Edition [review] - a gorgeous, thought provoking, and endlessly creative take on the original material. 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: Minions - the adorable yellow henchmen from the Despicable Me series got their own prequel film and kids will no doubt get a kick out of the goofy protagonists; Speedy - comic genius Harold Lloyd's last silent film, this movie is action-packed and hilarious; and Tabu - director F. W. Murnau (Nosferatu, Sunrise) and documentarian Robert Flaherty (Nanook of the North) went to Tahiti to film this lovely stylized romance. Visit the DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

Interested in the latest TV on DVD reviews? DVD Talk has you covered! This week's notable entries include: Hannibal: Season Three - this final batch of 13 episodes is nearly as strong as the second season, serving up loads of international intrigue during its first half and a memorable take on Thomas Harris' Red Dragon in the final stretch; The Civil War 25th Anniversary Edition - Ken Burns enormously influential and popular documentary is still amazing 25 year later; and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Revenge - the third season of Nickelodeon's revamped Turtles show gets fully back on track with this collection of 13 good-to-great episodes. Want more? Check out all of the TV on DVD reviews in the DVD Talk database.

This week several great movies are coming out, including a few that shouldn't be missed: Siege of Firebase Gloria [review] - Kino presents a rock solid action movie directed with a great eye for pacing and action set pieces performed incredibly well by an awesome cast; Delta Force 2 [review] - while not as action-packed as the original Delta Force, this one still has enough moments; and Bobbie Jo and the Outlaw [review] - entertaining enough drive-in fare, so long as you keep your expectations in check. 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: Dont Look Back - an excellent music documentary on Bob Dylan's London Tour was in the Spring of 1965; Forbidden Zone: Ultimate Edition - this 1980 cult-classic is an undeniably unique cinematic experience, brought to life with good humor, bad taste, a healthy sense of absurdity, low-budget creativity, and seemingly no filter; Love at Large - a highly unusual detective romance from one-of-a-kind filmmaker Alan Rudolph.

Planning a trip to the local multiplex this weekend? Here are DVD Talk's reviews of the latest theatrical releases: The Good Dinosaur - a solid bit of entertainment for the whole family; Creed - Sylvester Stallone turns in a strong supporting performance that undeniably makes this Rocky spin-off more than the typical sports drama; and Spotlight - one of the year's ten best movies and one that will definitely in the running for an Oscar. Other recent films include: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2, Spectre, Spectre, Steve Jobs, Bridge of Spies, Room , Sicario, Pan, The Martian (3D), and Pawn Sacrifice. 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: Getting On: Season 2 - the second season expands the characters and gives them more depth... this is one of the best shows around for audiences looking for brutal honesty mixed with dry wit; Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck - te documentary doesn't clear up the mystery of the iconic rock star, but it helps remind viewers that Kurt was always human-sized -- even as his legacy looms much larger; and Batman: The Complete Third Season - this third season has its share of laughs but the show was really getting stale by this point. Want more? Check out all of the TV on DVD reviews in the DVD Talk database.

Some pretty cool discs are being released this week. Check out these new titles: Fear the Walking Dead: Season 1 [review] - a prequel to AMC's hit series The Walking Dead... it focuses on the very early days of the zombie apocalypse and it shows not only how people survive, but in a sense how they start to adapt; Queen of Blood [review] - lots of great sets and set pieces, some endearing and entertaining performances and loads of weird atmosphere make this movie a blast; and Twice-Told Tales [review] - a fun movie with some interesting supporting players... Vincent Price fans will get the most out of it as he headlines each one of the three Hawthorne adaptions that make up the film and he does pretty good work here. 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.