The in-fighting was fierce, and we came close to losing a few of our ranks to mental injury in the midst of heated debate. At one point, we had a five-way tie that was broken only by brainstorming through the night and into the morning. In the end, the list was born: twenty DVDs and DVD sets that represent the pinnacle of our chosen obsession in 2003. Without further ado, let's start at the top, in a place called Middle Earth…

1. Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers: Extended Edition
What else can you say about New Line's Lord of the Rings Extended Editions that hasn't been said already? Last year's Fellowship of the Ring set a new standard for DVD presentation, and this year's The Two Towers maintains that high standard and snags the top spot in our voting. Although fans might argue over which third of the trilogy reigns supreme, there's no doubt that this middle section of a sweeping epic is a rare masterpiece, one that scores high with critics and fans alike. Sagas like Lord of the Rings don't come around very often, and neither do DVDs like this. This set is truly a labor of love from everyone involved. You'll find top-notch audio and video quality and a wealth of supplemental materials on this four-disc set, all at a reasonable price. This is one release (along with the Extended Edition of Fellowship of the Ring and next year's inevitable Return of the King: Extended Edition) that you really can't afford to miss! (Blurb by Randy Miller III. Read the review by Holly Ordway.)

2. The Alien Quadrilogy
Nipping on the heels of Peter Jackson's deserving epic is the Alien Quadrilogy set, a DVD behemoth that will astound and amaze even the most demanding Alien fan. This meticulously produced set drops to the second spot only because the third and fourth films in the saga can't hope to live up to the effectiveness of the first two, but this nine-disc collection is a must-own in many respects. Prepare yourself for sparkling new video transfers audio mixes, especially in the case of Alien, which will-quite frankly-blow you away. Get ready for new footage in all four films, including a new Special Edition cut of Alien3 that vastly improves the troublesome film. Watch Aliens in its original Theatrical Release form for the first time on DVD. Immerse yourself in an almost incomprehensibly vast collection of behind-the-scene footage, uncommonly candid interview segments with a huge variety of participants, on-set antics and camaraderie, special-effects tests and failures, amusing outtakes, peeks behind the intricate sets, in-depth looks at memorable scenes, and an awe-inspiring archive of original art, conceptual designs, storyboards, production photographs, and candid shots. The Alien Quadrilogy boasts an honesty and candidness in its presentation that we don't often see on DVDs. (Blurb and review by Jason Bovberg.)

3. The Adventures of Indiana Jones
Remember those movies you absolutely loved as a kid? Those great adventures with lots of thrills and always something cool happening? In short, remember how much you loved Indiana Jones? You might be wondering if these films really stand the test of time. The answer is a resounding "Yes!" In fact, the Indiana Jones films shine even more brightly now: In a nutshell, these are great movies. Raiders of the Lost Ark is every bit as exciting and fun as it was when it debuted in 1981 (and who can forget that opening sequence in the temple!). Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, though generally considered the weakest of the three Indy films, holds up quite well once it gets moving. And the outstanding Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade shows that sometimes a franchise gets even better as it ages. Indiana Jones remains the high-water mark for fun action and adventure, and finally the trilogy is on DVD in a great boxed set. (Blurb by Holly Ordway. Read the review by Aaron Beierle.)

4. Finding Nemo: 2-Disc Collector's Edition
Pixar continues its amazing dominance in the realm of CG animation with Finding Nemo, one of its very finest concoctions. It's no accident that this is the highest-grossing animated film in history: It's a spectacular and emotionally involving tale about a father and son, two tiny fishes separated in the middle of a vast ocean. But it's not just the heart-warming story and imaginatively voiced characters that will win you over. The gorgeously colorful and rich animation will astound your eyes, and the creative surround track will amaze your ears. Although this set's supplements tend to target the kids, it also provides some interesting extras for the animation enthusiast. (Blurb by Jason Bovberg. Read the review by John Sinnott.)

5. Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl
This summer, Walt Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer teamed up for one of the year's most popular and exciting entertainments. Although a film based on an amusement-park attraction might not sound terribly promising, the film version of Pirates of the Caribbean far exceeded expectations with its humorous look at a loopy former pirate captain, a governor's daughter who yearns for adventure, a dashing young man who pines for the leading lady, and a cursed captain who will do anything to free himself of the curse's burden. The DVD offers pristine image quality and superb DTS 5.1 and Dolby Digital tracks. This two-disc collection also offers a treasure trove of extras, such as three commentary tracks, 19 deleted scenes, a documentary, and several fascinating featurettes. (Blurb by Jeffrey Robinson. Read the review by Aaron Beierle.)

6. Casablanca: 2-Disc Special Edition
For years, we lived with a pretty good Casablanca DVD that did little justice to the Bogart/Bergman classic, but in 2003 our prayers were answered with a lavish two-disc special edition. The new set has much more to offer the timeless romance, most notably in the extras department. Featuring documentaries, deleted scenes, and even the classic Looney Tunes tribute cartoon Carrotblanca, this special edition will increase your appreciation for the film and help you understand its place in movie history. Although Casablanca is now over 60 years old, its beautifully restored picture and sound are nothing short of astounding. Relive the magic of Casablanca all over again. (Blurb by Randy Miller III. Read the review by DVD Savant.)

7. X2: X-Men United
In Bryan Singer's X2: X-Men United, we rejoin familiar faces such as Wolverine and Professor Xavier in a thrilling sequel to Singer's original X-Men, as our heros unite with their enemies, as well as some new faces, to protect and save mutants and mankind alike. X2 was without a doubt a dynamite success at the box office. Although few would call it the best film of 2003, it's definitely one of the most exciting. The two-disc X2 DVD set features spectacular image quality and mind-blowing DTS 5.1 and Dolby Digital audio. The DVD also offers excellent extras, including two commentary tracks, 11 deleted scenes, several documentaries, and three featurettes. (Blurb by Jeffrey Robinson. Read the review by David Blair.)

8. Tokyo Story: Criterion Collection
Described as "the most traditional and Japanese of film directors," Yasujiro Ozu is criminally underrepresented when it comes to Region 1 DVD releases. But in 2003, the centennial of the great master's birth, Criterion set out to rectify this grievous injustice with its splendid release of Ozu's widely acknowledged masterpiece, Tokyo Story. The film itself is a fine epitome of Ozu's masterful filmmaking prowess, with its meditative simplicity, skillful scene compositions, and devastatingly powerful examinations of truth and sadness. The beauty of Tokyo Story is not so much in its plot -- which is simple but heartbreakingly real -- but in its deliberate, contemplative manner of storytelling (the film critics who contributed to the 2002 Sight & Sound poll didn't vote Tokyo Story the fifth greatest film ever made for nothing!) Criterion pulled out all the stops with this two-disc special edition. The two+ hour film has been beautifully restored and remastered, with an exhaustive feature-length commentary by film scholar David Desser, the film's original trailer, and two magnificent documentaries that not only run nearly three hours in length, but will also satisfy even the most insatiable Ozu devotee. Tokyo Story isn't just one of the greatest films ever made; it's one of the finest DVDs of the year, and Criterion has topped even its own impeccable standards. (Blurb and review by Matthew Millheiser.)

9. Spirited Away
What a nice surprise to see such attention paid to an anime film! Although Disney typically reserves its special editions for films such as The Lion King and Sleeping Beauty, the company made an exception with this remarkable film by Hayao Miyazaki, a living animation legend. You could've sneezed and missed Spirited Away during its initial American theatrical release, so it's particularly nice to see it get the royal treatment on DVD. Spirited Away is a unique "fairy tale" gem that boasts memorable characters, imaginative landscapes, an unlikely heroine, and a timeless story. With stunning video and audio (including the original Japanese language track) and some decent bonus features, this DVD should be treasured by animation fans of all ages. (Blurb by Randy Miller III. Read the review by Aaron Beierle.)

10. The Looney Tunes Golden Collection
Fifty-six cartoons. Four discs full of unedited Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd, and Porky Pig shenanigans. And the rest of the gang is here, too, in this wonderfully irreverent selection of classic toons from the vintage Warner Brothers/Mel Blanc/Carl Stalling animation era. Completists cried foul, but seriously, did they really expect Warner to churn out a chronological hundred-disc set of the purported 1100 cartoons that the company produced-without testing the waters first? What we have here in the Looney Tunes Golden Collection is nearly eight hours of cartoons, historical commentaries, isolated music tracks, and a whole lot of zany fun, and it's more than enough. This set will bring back those cherished moments of your childhood when you spent long Saturday mornings being thrilled by a bunch of wacky, violence-prone talking animals. (Blurb by Jason Bovberg. Read the review of the Premiere Collection by DVD Savant.)

11. Deep Space Nine: The Complete Seasons 1 through 7
The year 2003 saw the release of all seven seasons of Star Trek Deep Space Nine. Arguably the best Star Trek series ever, and certainly one of the best science-fiction series to be shown on television, Deep Space Nine was an ambitious and very successful project. DS9 proved itself willing to set up complex ethical situations, draw fully three-dimensional characters, explore the many shades of gray between "good" and "evil," and push the Star Trek envelope in creating a show that was darker, grittier, and more intense than Next Generation had ever dared to be. Season 1 introduces us to the cast and to the conflict between Bajor and Cardassia. Season 2 develops the Bajoran situation, introducing a further complexity in the rebellious Maqui, and setting up for the introduction of the Dominion in Season 3. The use of a continuing storyline is developed further in Season 4 with the Dominion threat becoming ever stronger, leading into a knockout Season 5 with the Klingons as well as the Dominion now at war with the Federation. DS9's high point comes with Season 6 with episodes that really shake things up and make us face tough issues about loyalty, duty, and the costs of war. Though Season 7 is rather uneven compared to the earlier seasons, it has its share of excellent episodes as it wraps up DS9's epic story arc. And since Paramount delivered DS9 with outstanding transfers, great packaging, and a generous helping of special features, these are seven season sets that aren't to be missed. (Blurb and reviews by Holly Ordway)

12. Once Upon a Time in the West: Special Collector's Edition
How happy we were to see Sergio Leone's 1968 masterpiece get the loving special-edition that it so richly deserved in this surprisingly affordable two-disc set from Paramount. A brooding, epic, almost slow-motion deconstruction of westerns that came before it, Once Upon a Time in the West elevates its genre to become something higher than itself, similarly to the way this year's Kill Bill Volume 1 transcends itself. There's really not much going on at the heart of Leone's (or Tarantino's) film, but you watch every grizzled face, every dusty landscape, with rapt attention and film-geek awe. And that Ennio Morricone score gives the film an operatic scope that lifts Once Upon a Time in the West into greatness. Paramount presents the film uncut and in a jaw-droppingly gorgeous transfer, and the set holds some truly illuminating extras. (Blurb by Jason Bovberg. Read the review by DVD Savant.)

13. Black Hawk Down: Three-Disc Deluxe Edition
Ridley Scott's Black Hawk Down is one of the most effective and important war films in recent memory, particularly in light of our recent efforts in Iraq. Columbia first released a practically barebones disc in 2002, then followed up a year later with this exhaustive set. The highlights of this massive package are an extensive behind-the-scenes documentary (which is longer than the film itself!), documentaries from PBS and The History Channel (which go into great detail about the true story behind this fascinating movie), and, perhaps best of all, utterly absorbing audio commentaries from Ridley Scott, the author and screenwriter, and the Task Force Ranger veterans who took part in the mission! (Blurb by Randy Miller III. Read the review by Aaron Beierle.)

14. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Special Edition
If you love good old-fashioned adventure yarns, you can't go wrong with Jules Verne as seen through the eyes of Walt Disney. This extravagant 1954 screen adaptation of the saltwater-soaked classic follows an 19th century seaman who is kidnapped by the mad Captain Nemo, who pilots the futuristic submarine Nautilus. Watch out for that giant squid! The movie's special effects were way ahead of their time, and the Cinemascope imagery filled your entire span of vision with wonders. This DVD recreates that experience in glorious anamorphic widescreen. The generous extras include an audio commentary from the director, scintillating making-of documentaries, and unused animation. (Blurb by Jason Bovberg. Read the review by DVD Savant.)

15. Krzysztof Kieslowski's Three Colors: The Exclusive Collection
Since the inception of the DVD format in 1997, we've been clamoring with unrestrained ardor for Krzysztof Kieslowski's acclaimed and revered Trois Couleurs trilogy. Christened after the colors of the French flag, each of Kieslowski's films explores one of the tenets of the French Revolution. Bleu (Blue) observes the tenet of Liberty within the context of a woman trying to escape the pain and mourning resulting from the accidental death of her husband and daughter, Blanc (White) presents Equality within the milieu of a love story/revenge fantasy, and Rouge (Red) examines the concept of Fraternity between a model and a reclusive retiree. The Three Colors DVD set is a joy to behold. The audio and visual presentations are wonderfully rendered, and the sheer wealth of extras provides for a richer, deeper understanding of Kieslowski's masterpiece. The wealth of supplemental material is wonderful, making this boxed set a true Special Edition. This is a must-have DVD set. (Blurb and review by Matthew Millheiser.)

16. Alias: The Complete Seasons 1 & 2
Studios rushed to release popular new television shows on DVD in 2003, and none were better than the Alias season 1 and 2 boxed sets. Following the kick-ass adventures of a young CIA double agent, the series has all the ingredients necessary to serve up a great TV feast: fast-paced and well choreographed action, red-hot sexual tension, the perfect touch of comic relief, startling cliffhangers that'll make you glad you don't have to wait a week for the next episode, and for those into that kind of thing, very skimpy, sexy outfits. Since the show has everything, would you expect anything less from this year's two 6-disc boxed sets? Both sets feature the respective season in its entirety with rather nice anamorphic widescreen and 5.1 Dolby Digital presentations. Both sets also offer entertaining commentary tracks, informative behind-the-scenes featurettes, funny blooper reels, and more. If you're looking to meet new friends to fill up your social calendar, I suggest introducing yourself to Sydney Bristow and the cast of Alias. (Blurb by James Powell
. Read the Season 1 review by Aaron Beierle and the Season 2 review by James W. Powell.)

17. Harry Potter & The Chamber of Secrets

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is a sequel that equals and even improves on the charming Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Faithful to the book without being slavish to it, the film follows Harry in his second year at Hogwarts, where he and his friends Hermione and Ron encounter what seems to be a mysterious crusade against all non-pureblood wizards. With an engaging story and characters and impressive but not overdone special effects, The Chamber of Secrets ends up being a highly entertaining film. This DVD improves on the first film's DVD's tendency to slavishly target the youngsters, offering interviews, deleted scenes, and production sketches. (Blurb by Holly Ordway. Read the review by Aaron Beierle.)

18. The Adventures of Antoine Doinel
In 1959, François Truffaut startled the film world with the release of hisLes Quatre cents coups (The 400 Blows). This film not only helped start the French New Wave movement but also introduced the autobiographical Antoine Doinel, a young delinquent played by Jean-Pierre Léaud. Over the next 20 years, Truffaut would make a total of four movies and one short about Antoine and the challenges he faces at different points in his life. Criterion has put out this superb set containing all of the films in the Doinel cycle: The 400 Blows, Stolen Kisses, Bed and Board, and Love on the Run, and the 1962 short subject, Antoine and Colette. The movies in this set are all excellent, showcasing Truffaut's talent as a director, and the wonderfully powerful Jean-Pierre Léaud. Filled with copious extras, wonderfully creative packaging, and a short paperback book on the films, this set belongs in every foreign film lover's collection. (Blurb by John Sinnott.)

19. The Day the Earth Stood Still
A spaceship lands in Washington D.C., and an alien emissary brings a warning and a message of peace. Will the inherent distrust and paranoia of humankind lead to disaster? The Day the Earth Stood Still is one of the most enduring and influential of the 1950s-era pulp science-fiction films, and Fox has bestowed a fittingly scrumptious DVD treatment on the title. The audio commentary by Robert Wise and Nicolas Meyer is worth the price alone, but you also get a fantastic 70-minute documentary and other interesting extras. And the restoration efforts on the image are superb. (Blurb by Jason Bovberg. Read the review by DVD Savant.)

20. Mondo Cane Collection
A relatively new face to the DVD market, Blue Underground hit a home run with its recent release of the notorious Mondo Cane Collection. These controversial documentaries were first unleashed on the public with 1962's Mondo Cane, which spawned many "sequels" (and tons of imitators). These movies toiled in general obscurity on VHS for many years, but finally received a first-class treatment on DVD in the form of this mammoth, 8-disc boxed set. Featuring director's cuts of several of the films and beautifully restored picture and sound, the discs also include a respectable amount of bonus materials. The eighth disc, entitled The Godfathers of Mondo, is an especially nice inclusion that really adds to the value of this awe-inspiring boxed set. The limited edition run of 100,000 copies sold out quickly, but you can still obtain it for less than $100 if you shop around. Overall, this set is a tremendous effort from Blue Underground that makes the studio worthy of your attention in 2004. (Blurb and review by Randy Miller III.)

Runners up include Honeymooners: Classic 39 Episodes, 24: Season 2, Eraserhead, Scarface, The Adventures of Robin Hood, Babylon 5: Season 3, Narc, Boyz in the Hood, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: Criterion, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Whale Rider, and Coupling: Seasons 1 and 2.

2003 saw an amazing number of documentaries come to DVD, but making the list of the top ten was surprisingly difficult. The first five spots on this list were easy to choose, as these were the true standouts of the year; after that, it was tough to pick five more choices from a variety of solid documentaries. This list ranges from ancient history to current events, and from the natural world to the world of computers; the one thing all ten titles have in common is that they're great DVDs.

1. The Life of Mammals
This jaw-droppingly beautiful and intelligent exploration of the world of mammals, written and hosted by David Attenborough, is the best of the best. Packed with insights and featuring extraordinary footage that uses the latest technology to peek inside the hidden worlds of mammals both great and small, The Life of Mammals is a ten-part paean to the fascination and wonder of the animal world. Not only that, the series is presented in a stunning anamorphic widescreen transfer with outstanding sound quality. If you buy only one documentary this year, it should be The Life of Mammals. (Review by Holly E. Ordway)

2. The 2003 Tour de France: Lance Armstrong Joins the GreatsThe Tour de France is the world's largest single sporting event, and it's the culmination of a year's worth of preparation for many riders and teams... Lance Armstrong chief among them. This five-disc, twelve-hour epic presentation of the 2003 Tour deserves high marks on two counts: it's a nail-biting, edge-of-the-seat race, the most exciting edition in over a decade, and it's a phenomenal DVD package that covers all the action, both on the road and behind the scenes. There's also a four-hour condensed version for Tour "newbies," but for any fan of bicycle racing, the 12-hour Collector's Edition is the only way to go. (Review by Holly E. Ordway)

3. The Living Planet2003 was graced with two David Attenborough releases this year: The Life of Mammals was the first, and The Living Planet was the second. This 1984 series finally makes it onto DVD, and it's worth the wait, as Attenborough takes us on a dazzling journey through the different ecosystems of the Earth, from the tropical jungle to the frozen north and everywhere in between. Visually it's not outstanding, but it's also twenty years old; what's more to the point is that its intelligence and capacity to inspire awe and wonder shine just as brightly as ever. (Upcoming review by Holly E. Ordway)

4. Egypt's Golden EmpireAncient Egypt is an ever-popular topic for documentaries; Egypt's Golden Empire is one that takes a fresh look at the subject and gives us something fresh, engaging, focused, and very polished. Rather than skimming over the same old generalities, this documentary, part of PBS's Empires series, takes a close look at the "New Kingdom," a period more than a thousand years after the pyramids had been built, but still deep within the ancient past. We get to know the rise and fall of individual pharaohs, see how and why events turned out as they did, and see what life was like in 1500 BC. This is one documentary that sets a high standard for all historical programs. (Review by Holly E. Ordway)

5. The Hard Road Ever wonder how riders like Lance Armstrong got started? It's a "hard road" indeed, as we see in the very personal and very powerful documentary about Net Zero, a small professional team struggling to get results and stay afloat in the U.S. domestic racing scene. A labor of love by Jamie Paolinetti, whom we also see in the film, as the team leader and veteran rider on team Net Zero, The Hard Road follows the riders through one full season, showing the ups and downs of life on the road racing circuit. It's of particular interest to anyone who's ever raced a bicycle or followed pro racing, but more than that, it's an insightful look at a group of people who are giving everything they have to follow their dreams. (Review by Holly E. Ordway)

6. The Century of Warfare If you ever doubted that war has had a defining influence on modern human history, this epic documentary would soon convince you otherwise. Starting with the precursor events to World War I, and moving steadily onward to the present day, The Century of Warfare shows us what happened, how it happened, and most importantly, why it happened. Amazingly, we see everything first-hand: real archival footage is used throughout the entire program, from pre-1914 conflicts to events in the Middle East. This seven-volume set is quite a commitment to watch, but it's worth it. (Review by Holly E. Ordway)<

7. Jane Goodall's Wild ChimpanzeesThis IMAX film takes you into the jungle world of renowned primatologist Jane Goodall, who has devoted her life to understanding chimpanzees and, sadly, defending them from the predations of humankind. Though it's only forty minutes long, this film is packed with fascinating information about chimpanzee life and culture, showing that there's no clear dividing line between "human" and "not human." Not only that, the DVD boasts a phenomenal DTS audio track that brings the jungle right into your living room, making this an even more immersive viewing experience. (Review by Holly E. Ordway)

8. Revolution OS Yes, there's an alternative to the Microsoft monopoly on operating systems, and it's called Linux. Revolution OS is its story: from its origins in an MIT lab to the present day, the film traces the development of this revolutionary idea of free software shared among people who are motivated by making better programs, not more money. With its interviews of key figures like Richard Stallman and Linus Torvalds, Revolution OS is sure to appeal to engineers and computer geeks, but it also has a broader appeal, showing what the "hacker ethic" really means, and capturing the vision of Open Source and the Free Software Movements. (Review by Holly E. Ordway)

9. Walking with Cavemen Following in the footsteps of Walking with Dinosaurs and Walking with Beasts, this BBC production takes us back to explore the lives of our earliest ancestors, from Australopithecus afarensis to Homo habilis and the Neanderthals. It's a nice finishing touch for the "Walking with..." series, showing clearly how humans have been shaped by the forces of evolution just as every other living creature on the planet has been. It's a thought-provoking program that explores how things that we take for granted, like the ability to speak, or a sense of curiosity, were evolutionary advantages that enabled our earliest ancestors to live and thrive in a variety of environments. (Review by James W. Powell)

10. Winged Migration: Special Edition Finishing up this list is a documentary that's really a sensory experience: following birds in flight around the globe, showing us their lives on the wing. While it doesn't provide much by way of information about the birds (for that we'll turn to the earlier release of The Life of Birds), it's undoubtedly an intriguing and impressive experience. (Review by Aaron Beierle)

Japanese anime continued its rise to prominence in 2003 with a growing number of releases in many categories from the popular science fiction and spy genres to the whimsical comedies and romance so many fans appreciate. A growing number of companies, led by ADV Films, Bandai, and Genome (formerly Pioneer), have addressed this long-neglected market niche with an ever-growing list of series and stand alone projects that often show more intelligence and care than your typical mainstream release. Those who formerly wrote the genre off as “cartoons for children” have found that given a chance, there’s something to entertain everyone, young and old alike. On a technical note, 2003 saw companies employ a host of techniques, including the cross-use of traditional hand-drawn cels with CGI to update the look of the genre, and DVD extras that transform our favorite shows from Japan into DVD's worth keeping, rather than watching on cable television (in edited form). Anime came a long way in 2003, as did the market for domestically produced animation (for a great look at the year in animation, read Jason Bovberg’s top 10 list), and with that said, with the help of some other reviewers, here’s a look at some of the best anime of the year.

1. Spirited Away:
Disney released three animated movies by legendary director Hayao Miyazaki this year: Kiki’s Delivery Service, Castle in the Sky, and Spirited Away. All three are excellent movies, but Spirited Away is the best. This modern day fairy tale revolves around a young girl, Chihiro, who stumbles into what appears to be a deserted amusement park with her parents. After eating some food at an empty stand, her parents fall under a spell and turn into pigs. As night falls, the park comes alive with strange beings. Chihiro must find a way to cure her parents and escape the magical land she finds herself in. Populated with interesting characters, stunningly beautiful backgrounds and a powerful story, Spirited Away is a great movie, animated or otherwise. This is the perfect DVD to screen for people who are adverse to Japanese animation. (Synopsis by John Sinnott, Review by Aaron Beierle)

2. Arcadia Of My Youth:
Matsumoto Leiji is one of the founders of modern day anime with a style all his own. One of his most beloved characters is Captain Harlock, a space pirate fighting the good fight after his beloved Earth falls into the enemy hands of the Illumidus Empire. Arcadia of my Youth introduces us to the world of this young pirate who roams the darkest edges of space in a story that shows people that some things, especially freedom, are worth fighting for. Thankfully, the folks at AnimEigo prove once again that they are the Criterion of anime and this restored movie is but one example of why they are held in such high regard. (Review by Don Houston)

3. RahXephon:
Set in the near future, a young pilot, Ayato, is thrust into a world of intrigue and danger by virtue of his ability to activate a powerful alien robot with his mind. Over the course of the series, we get to see a variety of interesting characters and situations that all grow to fit their circumstances, proving once more that a well written anime series doesn’t have to be for kids. The show explores themes that are light-years ahead of most domestically produced animation and the technical aspects combine sound and visuals equally advanced. The people at ADV Films have earned their share of praise by releasing the DVDs with some excellent extras and a great transfer. (Disc 1, Disc 2, Disc 3, Disc 4, Disc 6 all by Don Houston)

4. Noir:
Noir is the story of two young female assassins in search of their past. Each episode guides the viewer through a multi-layered story that can stand-alone but also contributes to the larger whole as they uncover bits and pieces of the truth, even parts that they don’t care to hear. This series was one of the best sounding made, using music and sound effects on a level only dreamed about by their competitors. The replay value of the DVD’s combined with the extras made this series yet another crowning jewel in the ADV empire. (Disc 1, Disc 2, Disc 3, Disc 4, Disc 5, Disc 6, Disc 7 all by Don Houston)

5. Sakura Wars: The Movie:
Sakura Wars: The Movie is a story set in the 1920’s about an opera troupe from Japan that fight hordes of demons with steam-powered robots. If that premise doesn’t sound too bizarre for you, keep in mind that the anamorphic widescreen presentation was matched by the use of a great 5.1 Dolby Digital soundtrack in the best recent movie of a series to date. It’s quirky enough to grab your attention and nicely compliments the various related series put out by various companies. Kudos to the people at Geneon (formerly Pioneer) for raising the bar a bit with this release. (Review by Don Houston)

6. Battle Of The Planets: Ultimate Boxed Set:
In an effort to provide fans of classic anime with the best of both worlds, WEA released a boxed set of a dozen episodes of an American favorite, Battle Of The Planets, along with the corresponding episodes from the original Japanese release, Science Team Gatchaman. The show detailed the exploits of a team of enhanced youngsters who fight an evil being that seeks to conquer the Universe with a variety of nefarious schemes. The original show was released in Japan over 30 years ago and the remastered episodes looked better than they have in a long time. If that weren’t enough, they added in extras that included an audio commentary by the voice actors and interviews with a number of people associated with the show (no small feat considering the age of some of these people). This show was one of a handful that really contributed to opening the American market to anime. (Review by Don Houston)

7. The Animatrix:
This year's high-profile Matrix sequels, Matrix Reloaded and Matrix Revolutions, couldn't help but suffer from stratospheric expectations generated by the standalone brilliance of the first film, a wicked advertising campaign, and a multimedia assault that included The Animatrix, an anthology of nine Matrix-related anime short films. The Wachowski Brothers enlisted seven anime artists from around the world to helm these thrilling, violent, and mind-bending films, and the result is a cornucopia of styles and palettes, all with a firm foundation in the distinct world created by the talented brothers. Many of the shorts have direct ties into the narrative of the live-action films, and they can illuminate your understanding of the Matrix films' sometimes-labyrinthine plot complexities. Image and sound quality are top-notch, and the supplements will enrich your appreciation of anime in general. (Review by Review by Jason Bovberg)

8. Read Or Die:
Read Or Die is one of those rare releases that almost no one knows about yet displays a lot of inventiveness, intelligence, and enough quirky humor to appeal to a great many non-traditional fans of the genre. It shows a young female librarian fight a host of historical figures, all with special abilities that haven’t been copied a thousand times over, in an effort to prevent a madman from gaining access to a powerful book. Aside from having a strong female lead and intelligent writing, the show boasts a great picture and soundtrack, making this an original worthy of your attention. Manga is not one of the most prolific producers of anime but with shows like this one, they are proving their worth to many of us. (Review by Don Houston)

9. L/R (Licensed By Royalty) - Deceptions (Vol. 1):
With all the fantastical plot devices in the wide world of anime, it’s easy to forget that sometimes shows will come to rely on the gimmicks too much, thereby weakening the writing and characterizations in order to focus on the fiction aspects of the material (like giant robots, space travel and the like). One show that is firmly planted in reality is Licensed By Royalty, released by Geneon (Pioneer). The show follows a couple of agents as they protect the royal crown from all threats, internal and external, with more wit and cunning than any James Bond movie, and just as much style. If you like spy movies but hate anime, you might just change your mind after watching Jack and Rowe address the many threats they encounter. (Review by Don Houston)

10. Excel Saga:
How can you describe Excel Saga in a paragraph? Hmmm. It is kind of like a whacked version of Monty Python on acid. Even that isn’t quite right. It is a very funny, fast and furious, sharp edged humorous anime that does not take itself, or anything else, seriously. Every episode is a parody of a different style of movie or show. Excel Saga parodies space operas, Dragon Ball, low-budget action films, Captain Harlock, dramas, Fist of the North Star, cute animal shows, Gundam, romance anime, Mighty Morphing Power Rangers and even American anime fans. It makes fun of every aspect of anime, and does it well. The reason the series succeeds is because even though there is a lot of seemingly random action and events in every episode, most of it does have some meaning in the plot. That they can sustain the humor and still advance the overall plot through out the 26 episodes is amazing. A very good transfer and excellent on screen notes make this bizarre series one that every anime fan should at least check out. (Synopsis by John Sinnott, Review by Don Houston)

Porn in 2003 continued to push the limits of the DVD medium. With multiple disc sets becoming more and more common, gonzo porn averaging over two hours per release and the production companies finally realizing that better extras often translate into sales rather than rentals, a number of companies did their best to elevate the bar with competition forcing the rest of the pack to follow suit. From Gonzo porn companies like Red Light District and Evil Angel to the companies focusing on features like Wicked Pictures, VCA, Digital Playground, to those who try to offer something for everyone like Simon Wolf, Vivid, and Private Pictures, there was definitely something for everyone out there. DVD became the format of choice for many consumers and rental stores alike, forcing the production companies to provide better quality picture and sound as well as extras that often made mainstream companies jealous. With reportedly over 12,000 titles released during the year, here’s a look at some of the best the industry had to offer:

1. My Plaything Jenna Jameson 2: It’s A Boy:
Simply put, there is no one in the history of porn that commands as much attention as the lovely Jenna Jameson. She’s been in numerous mainstream projects, the subject of an E! biography, and it seems like anything she touches turns to gold. Is it any wonder that she propelled Wicked Pictures to the forefront of adult feature porn while she was a contract performer for them several years back? The folks at Digital Sin knew they had a goldmine when they had this gal’s participation in their virtual sex DVD and the ability to control Jenna sexually is something millions of men dream of. (Review by Don Houston)

Second Opinion: Virtual Sex With Jesse Jane: This is Digital Playground’s attempt to address the “Jenna gap” and succeeds on many levels. Fans have been picking this one up like crazy due in part for the advanced features and in part due to this hot young star.

2. The Fashionistas:
What more can be said about the Evil Angel title that includes more footage, more extras and more discs than any other single release on the market. That is also has some of the hardest, and kinkiest, sex you’ll find in a DVD release is just icing on the..uh, cake. Columnist Brian Nicholson raved at the many features this one had as well as how popular it was with the popular AVN show earlier this year. The DVD was released just after the first of the year, making it eligible by a hair for this list and if you enjoy the rougher side of porn, you really need to check this one out. (The Fashionistas by Brian Nicholson)

Second Opinion: The Private Gladiator Trilogy: This boxed set was Private Pictures answer to the mainstream movie Gladiator and contained all three chapters of the popular movie. In terms of length, it surpassed The Fashionistas and depending on your tastes, the women were exceptionally attractive too.

3. Space Nuts:
Following in the footsteps of Mel Brooks' Spaceballs, Space Nuts tells the story of young Princess Hubba Hubba (Stormy), who is racing home aboard her starship and fleeing from Evil Overlord (Mike Horner). Overlord has his eyes on the princess, since the guy who marries her is going to take control of a large portion of the galaxy. The chase leads to "The Floating Balls" casino, where that daring do-gooder, Captain Buzz Starfockker (Evan Stone), meets up with the princess and joins her cause. Space Nuts isn't just a big movie, it's an impressive DVD set as well - offering viewers two discs loaded with bonus material and a presentation of the film that matches most mainstream releases. Included in the bonus material is a picture-in-picture commentary track (like the one on Kevin Smith's Mallrats), a behind the scenes featurette, bloopers, rehearsal and casting footage, slide shows, biographies and much more. (Space Nuts by Brian Nicholson and Space Nuts Beauty and the Beast)

Second Opinion: Hercules: This comedy was also released by Wicked Pictures and also had director Jonathan Morgan at the helm. In terms of sexual heat, it beat out Space Nuts by a bit and had DVD extras nearly as extensive. If you want to see the man, the myth, and the legend in action, you’ll do well to get this DVD.

4. The Private Life Series:
Compilations are a fact of life in the adult business and most of you have probably noticed they vary greatly in quality. Well, Private started a new series of compilations recently that give you a full two discs of great scenes culled from their massive vaults, and try to include some new material on each release to sweeten the deal. From the gorgeous Rita Faltoyano, to the popular Michelle Wild, to the cute Jodie Moore (as well as many others), you really can’t go wrong by getting one of these sets, especially since the price is so reasonable. (Private Life by Don Houston)

Second Opinion: Jenna Jameson’s Wicked Anthology: It should come as no surprise that Jenna’s earliest scenes for Wicked Pictures showed a lot of potential. Before she became a superstar, she showed a lot of people she had what it took to be the best in the jizz bizz. Fans will want to get this compilation pronto since it provides a lot of Jenna Jameson on a single disc.

5. Naughty Bedtime Stories: Volume 2:
Naughty Bedtime Stories: Volume 2 is a two dvd set combines fun and imaginative story telling with a lot of hot sex. The production quality is top notch with great audio and video for these stories filled with supernatural and science fiction subject matter. On top of that, the women are beautiful and the men are attractive, so everyone wins. The scenes tell stories of ghost pirates to gun slingers with everything in between and have fun twists to keep it even more interesting. Naughty Bedtime Stories: Volume 2 is a great overall dvd set for those that like fun storytelling mixed with their porn. (Review by Shortlipfuser)

Second Opinion: No Limits: This big budget release from Nic Andrews and Digital Playground showed that a porn movie could provide just as much entertainment value as a decent mainstream release, and do it with babes like Devon, Jesse Jane, and Jessica Drake having great sex. While more of a linear feature than Bedtime Stories, a lot of fans think this was the best release of the year.

6. Private Fetish 4 Pack:
The Private Fetish 4 Pack would be for you if you like beautiful women wearing latex and leather, so look no further than this release from Private. Frank Thring did some of his best work with Private and they have assembled it here in a limited edition four disc set. Sylvia Saint, Daniella Rush, Lea DeMae and Monika Sweetheart along with many other beautiful women that went on to become huge stars fill out the cast of the two features and two vignettes presented here. With six and a half hours of fetish footage overall you can’t go wrong. (Review by Shortlipfuser)

Second Opinion: Private Penthouse Boxed Set 2 and Ninn Box Set: Private has a way of coaxing our wallets, not to mention something else, out of our pants when it comes to value. Each of these sets provide an awful lot of fuck for the buck, barely costing more than a single movie yet providing more material than any of us could stroke to in a month.

7. ATM Machine #2:
Jonni Darrko is back in another installment of some rather hardcore ass-to-mouth action. This title features five attractive gals who take it orally, vaginally, and anally. Specifically this title caters to the audience who enjoys seeing girls have anal sex and then suck off their male counterparts. In this title you'll see hot young starlets like Ashley Blue team up with Manuel Ferrara for some heated trash talking, spitting, deep throating, hair pulling, ass to mouth, and everything else associated with good old fashion rough sex. This title is action packed with some of the year's greatest hardcore action. (Review by Review by Primal Rave)

Second Opinion: Once You Go Black, You Never Go Back 2: Director’s Cut: Few fans of gonzo porn would argue that Jules Jordan and Evil Angel were anything less than excellent in terms of providing hardcore action. If you enjoy interracial sex with a host of hot women, you’ll join me and a lot of fans in suggesting this as the DVD of choice for your viewing pleasure.

8. Feeding Frenzy 3: Swallow The Leader:
Chosen from a very strong field of contenders, Feeding Frenzy 3 provides the oral action fans clamor for in their porn. The women are among the best cocksuckers ever to show their talent in front of a videocamera (and I mean that in a positive sense). Rarely do you see such energy and talent combined with a need for seed as these gals put on display. With eight scenes and nearly a half hour of bonus footage, you’ll be satisfied for a long, long time with this DVD. (Review by Don Houston)

Second Opinion: All Star Oral: Officer Cartman threatened to arrest me if I didn’t include this one on the list since “All-Star Oral brings together some of the greatest names in the porn biz, and put them together on a single disc! Just look at the cast list, it's nothing short of breathtaking. I just can't say enough about how great this disc is. The hottest stars, their steamiest sex scenes, all packed conveniently into a 2-hour DVD. Definitely be sure to check out this disc, and you won't be disappointed!” Who am I to argue with the law?

9. Cum In My Ass, Not In My Mouth:
Few companies in porn are known for providing as much fuck for the buck as Red Light District. With Cum In My Ass, Not In My Mouth, director Erik Everhard showcases some of the best women in porn. Not only do these gals take anal, but they take it with a smile on their face. With nearly three hours of material at a low cost, consumers with a taste for anal sex would be crazy to pass this one up. (Review by Don Houston)

Second Opinion: 1 In The Pink, 1 In The Stink: This gonzo release focused on one of the most hardcore of all acts, the Double Penetration, and did so with a cast of cuties you’ll be talking about for a long time. Like a great many other Red Light releases, you’ll find the value almost as solid as the cast was fresh.

10. Rack ‘Em:
Kira Kener plays as a hot looking hustling pool shark. She spends her nights misleading guys like Scott Styles into playing a game they can't win. Will someone ever stop her? Or will she ruin Voodoo's club? The strongest part of this title was not the plot, it was the content. The sex in this title was for the most part very hot and exciting. Kira Kener had three amazing scenes with Slim Shady, Randy Spears, and Chris Cannon. Nicole Sheridan and Voodoo steamed up the backroom while Sharon Kane and Scott Styles "cleaned" the bar. This feature was pretty bad, but the content was truly amazing. This was definitely one of the better, cleaner titles of the year. (Reviewand Synopsis by Primal Rave)

Second Opinion: Real College Girls 10: Officer Cartman says: “The premise is that these are real college girls, looking to make some extra cash by doing a quick sex scene. The Hustler correspondents meet the girls on their campuses, interview them, look at their college IDs, and then take them to the location where the sex will happen. Five minutes into this disc, I was ready to give this DVD a "collectors series" recommendation.”

All The DVDs mentioned in this list can be purchased at AdultDVDEmpire.com - DVD Talk's Exclusive Adult DVD Store.

Happy holidays once again! It's been an interesting year for DVDs and one of the most satisfying for Savant, mainly because more studios have been digging deeper into their libraries. MGM was doing this two years ago, but appears to have slowed down their vault exploration somewhat. Paramount has committed to a steady stream of bare-bones but quality series of library titles, while Fox has its Studio Classics line as well as healthy library picks from the past. The happiest surprise is Warners, where a new executive in charge (or in an advisory capacity) has finally steered the label into the older Warner and RKO libraries. They've already brought out a fat list of fancy two-disc sets, and every month they announce more beautifully restored classics.

The minor leagues (or non-conglomerate companies) are still as busy as ever. Criterion is well into their 200+ spine numbers and has been joined by Home Vision Entertainment in bringing out new surprises every month. Anchor Bay is still making their special editions some of the best on the racks, joined this year in a big way by Blue Underground. Image has nice surprises every month or so, thanks to distribution deals for Milestone, a label that, with Kino, seems to have the arcane classic market sewn up - rare films in excellent restorations. And don't forget the micro-brewry All Day, which maintains as a pocket of brilliance for totally wild releases like Christ in Concrete.

So, on to Savant's pick discs for 2003. It's sort of a ten-best, but really a grab-bag of my personal taste, the titles that had the most meaning for me, for various reasons. I certainly wouldn't tout them as a 'Best Of' list ... We have enough of those at the Online Film Critics Society, lists that are so hard to choose and not look like a total fool. Asked to come up with a 'Best Unheralded Picture of the 90s' last year, my first and most emphatic choice was Wim Wenders' Until the End of the World. It came in dead last. Either my fellow Socialites forgot about it, or hate it, or both. So much for my chance of ever getting elected to public office!

There are ten movies picked here, but they're accompanied by 50 more titles, many as worthy or perhaps moreso than the top folks. Some are by themselves at the bottom of the list, but they're just categorical orphans and not lesser by any stretch. If you want to get technical, the top titles with their boxes represented are the 'winners', the ones I'd grab if you put a gun to my head. The list is selective, honest. I reviewed over 300 movies this year, and saw a lot more that I didn't review.

So here's the list that really got Savant's blood circulating. Remember that this highly subjective list grades the movie experience equally with the extras and special-ness of special editions. With a couple of exceptions they're all good movies in addition to being 'special' for one reason or another, so if you're looking for blind recommendations, here's Savant's picks. You can decide how blind Savant is later.

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Let's start with startling restorations. I thought I'd never see Jean Cocteau's Beauty and the Beast looking this good. I know people who had just found the old release on EBay, who then turned around and grabbed the new one. Film restoration + digital cleanup makes these rare titles shine as never before, and in the case of this classic fairy tale, I'm sure it looks better than the first import prints seen in America. From Criterion, still the discriminating DVD label of choice.

Other companies have been just as busy, bringing out rarities in splendid versions. Milestone & Image teamed up for a restored Michael Powell epic, The Edge of the World, and a definitive two-disc set of a silent and part-talkie Lon Chaney The Phantom of the Opera. Over at MGM, restorers like John Kirk and James Owsley put the censored ending back on Kiss Me Stupid, reinstated missing head-choppings and 'nasty bits' to Hammer's The Vampire Lovers, and (with a major assist from the BFI) resurrected the rumored-lost 1933 The Ghoul with Boris Karloff. It must have been hidden in a corner of the BFI vault, tucked away beneath the Arc of the Covenant. Blackhawk and Image gave us many a David Shepard labor of love, including a socko double bill of Buster Keaton's The General + Steamboat Bill, Jr. in excellent condition. Finally, Fox gets the prize for most-improved major studio release with their sparkling reissue disc of All About Eve.

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My next most treasured title from 2003 is from Paramount. Once upon a time we dreamed of having Once Upon a Time in The West on DVD, and it's finally come to pass. Dastardly Henry Fonda and stoic stone-man Charles Bronson circle around one another with Ennio Morricone's electric guitars for a wailing background, in a Western that verges on mythological legend. The fancy Region 1 release retains the impressive extras assembled for the English market. They're truly lavish, especially the long docus shot across Europe and America, and authoritative input from Sir Christopher Frayling.

The Fox Studio Classics disc set of John Ford's My Darling Clementine technically doesn't hit until early January, but I'm bending a rule to include it here because it's so close at hand and will seem so remote come next December. It contains two versions of the 1946 classic oater, the one where Earp kisses Clementine, and the one where they shake hands (and about 50 other differences as well). Scott Eyman provides the good-listen of a commentary for this one. Universal came out with a whole series of Westerns last spring, the most interesting of which is still the first Anthony Mann-James Stewart collaboration Winchester '73. It reshuffled the genre deck for the 50s, and redefined star dealmaking in Hollywood too.

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MGM's disc of Wim Wenders' Wings of Desire gets the next nod. Here's a modern classic deserving of A+ treatment. The exquisite B&W filming segues magically into color for a few scenes, and the mournful cello score contrasts well with the Nick Cave rock in the final third. Wim Wenders provides terrific commentary on the extras, which include extensive outtakes, explanations of how they invented the angels' M.O., and how surprised they all were when the Berlin Wall came down scarcely a year later. When MGM commits to a title, they really do a great job.

The Wenders film isn't purely a romance, but there were a number of great discs out last year that were. Fox's Studio Classics return to The Ghost and Mrs. Muir presented the peerless fantasy romance with a beautiful picture, and a crystal clear recording of one of Bernard Herrmann's best scores. MGM's Avanti! rescued an overlooked Billy Wilder classic with brilliant color and an enhanced image, as Juliet Mills pursues Jack Lemmon around Ischia to a medley of Italian standards like Senza Fine. Anouk Aimée and Marc Michel cavort inWellspring's DVD of Jacques Demy's Lola, a stylistic prequel to The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. The disc has mild quality issues, but is another romantic delight. Also not 100% in the quality department but too charming to ignore is MGM's disc of Wilder's The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes, a nostalgic adventure that puts the consulting detective into a romantic bind. Here, it's the Miklos Rosza score that weaves the magic spell.

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This gem is one you most likely have not heard much about. Early last year, Anchor Bay quietly brought out a disc of Lionel Jeffries' The Railway Children, a so-called family film that's an intelligent charmer for all ages. A young Jenny Agutter leads her impoverished brother and sister on a quest to find out what happened to their father and to restore him to the family. It's pleasant, thoughtful, and beautifully made.

For a different kind of family adventure, there's Columbia TriStar's Nowhere in Africa. The 2001 picture charts the completely unpredictable adventures of a Jewish family that narrowly escapes the Holocaust in Germany, only to find themselves enemy aliens in their newly adopted Kenya. Merab Ninidze and Juliane Köhler are terrific under Caroline Link's direction, and the film is an adult adventure without a single predictable scene.

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This year warrants a special ode to Warners, which continued their classic line with great single-disc shows and two disc special editions. John Huston's The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, just one great-looking Warners disc of many, is the one that lingers most in the imagination. B. Traven's adventure curdles into a dark tale of greed and murder with a cynical kicker at the end. Humphrey Bogart, Walter Huston and Tim Holt never looked better and Max Steiner's score has that brassy Warners studio orchestra sound. This double decker disc has more than one docu and a long biographical piece on the controversial director.

There are even more 2003 winners from the Warner stable, but the ones Savant couldn't resist were Mildred Pierce, with Joan Crawford creating her best role; Casablanca, an obvious shoo-in that still dazzles with its silvery B&W sheen; The Adventures of Robin Hood , perhaps Warners' best color restoration so far, and a double disc set that includes a full isolated Erich Wolfgang Korngold score; and To Have and Have Not, the Bogey-Bacall Hemingway adventure feature that renewed Hollywood's ability to create love-at-first-sight legends. Warners has a huge library of classics to exploit and gets top marks for presentation. Errol Flynn for '04, anyone?

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Rediscoveries sometimes trump restorations, because of the marketing courage required to launch a really obscure title. I had never even heard of Edward Dmytryk's Christ in Concrete, and seeing All Day's disc was like finding a new favorite. Pietro di Donato's landmark humanist book is social criticism from a blacklisted writer and director, set in a convincing New York but filmed entirely in London. All Day's extras include docus and a commentary where host David Kalat has to keep a lot of emotional participants on track - this political film still raises emotions 50 years after it was made.

Other discs also stood out as minor miracles, just for being released. Kino International deserves some kind of silent movie appreciation prize for their disc of Paul Leni's The Man Who Laughs. It's a grotesque classic that predates the look and morbidity of the great Universal horrors of the thirties, and it has terrific performances from Conrad Veidt and Olga Baclanova. Image distributed Ruscico's gargantuan epic, the Soviet version of War and Peace. It took five years to film and seems to have expended every Russian resource not committed to the Cold War. The battles feature real armies that stretch to the horizon and the dramatic highlights are impressive in a very 'Soviet Cinema' tradition. Criterion makes the grade again with William Dieterle's The Devil and Daniel Webster. It's technically a restoration to original length, but the new scenes change the tenor of this diabolical fantasy enough to seem an entire new picture. Walter Huston is the inimitable Mr. Scratch, the Yankee devil with a mischievous grin. And finally, it's back to Kino International for a revelation disc that isn't for all eyes, and will probably not make too many Best-Of lists. Hell's Highway: The True Story of Highway Safety Films is a sometimes difficult-to-watch docu on those gruesome scare movies shown to kids in the 50s and 60s, like Signal 30. Bret Wood has given his all to the tough task of explaining how they came about and where they were shown. It's a brave explorer in uncharted docu regions that succeeds by approaching its subject with extreme civility.

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A movie I definitely knew about, but had almost given up waiting for on DVD, is Disney's first CinemaScope live-action feature 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Perhaps a little slow, it's still a majestic work of the imagination and a brilliant showcase for what the best studio resources could accomplish in 1954. The Nautilus is one of the best movie designs ever, and James Mason is a superb hero-villain, a 19th-Century terrorist. With exhaustive extras, including BTS footage of the first abortive giant squid concept.

Fox followed up with its own Jules Verne concoction, 1959's Journey to the Center of the Earth, a light-hearted adventure difficult to dislike. Even Pat Boone is charming in a leading part. Naturally, James Mason is back again, and we only wish his later roles were as good as this one. With ponderous, Earth shattering (and bass-shattering) Bernard Herrmann music. And don't forget Gertrud, the movies' most famous Duck du Jour.

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This was a harder category to decide upon, simply because all the films here are emotional favorites. I finally settled on Fox'es The Day the Earth Stood Still simply because it represents the finest qualities in in classic 50s Sci-Fi, not because it's the best-looking disc or the most lavishly appointed. Most of its extras come from an older laser disc set that cost $60 or so in 1995. Klaatu's mission to Earth has always been interpreted as benevolent pacifism from Outer Space, which is insane considering just what kind of totalitarian dictatorship Klaatu's galactic syndicate is pushing. I get into it all in the original review; it's a sublime film any way one looks at it and Fox's disc is immaculate.

Warner kicked in with a lot of great fantastic product this year. Their The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms, Ray Harryhausen's first solo effort, is another clean transfer that appears to be made from elements improving on the earlier laser disc. Their combo disc of House of Wax + Mystery of the Wax Museum makes possible a direct comparison of two versions of the same story, the Lionel Atwill/Fay Wray 1933 version, and the later color remake that made a horror star of Vincent Price. Another 2003 double bill from Anchor Bay that spun Savant's head around is Dead of Night + The Queen of Spades. These two British films are considered key horror classics; the first isn't of stellar quality but its omnibus of horror tales are still chilling. The second is a rare & exotic story of greed and the supernatural. With that we return to Warners once again for another Harryhausen hit, 1969's The Valley of Gwangi, a fanciful dinosaur-vs-cowboys monsterama that scores with several show-stopping animation scenes, and a great Jerome Moross score. The score's also the thing with Francois Truffaut's compelling Universal disc, Fahrenheit 451, a Ray Bradbury thriller easier to appreciate on this superior DVD. Finally, wrapping up the category is one more Warners offering, 1951's original version of The Thing from Another World. The transfer is surprisingly soft, but the audio is good and it's the longer version that includes all of producer Howard Hawks' character scenes.

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Savant's always been a soft touch for crime films and films noir, yet finding really good transfers of classic titles isn't easy. Unless Humphrey Bogart's in it, many of the best are still MIA on DVD. 2003 gave us a good list to ponder. MGM takes top honors with its budget release of a 1948 Eagle-Lion film, He Walked by Night. This unassuming public domain show looks sensational, with John Alton's classic noir lighting beautifully rendered in delicate B&W. Richard Basehart is a calculating criminal mastermind who evades the LAPD by various means while killing policemen and maintaining a robbery reign of terror. His all-purpose escape route eventually becomes a trap, and the hardboiled police procedural format becomes a more existential piece about an alienated public enemy.

There was no shortage of great thrillers to choose from this year, noir and un-noir. Columb