DVDTalk reviewer Brian Orndorf sees a lot of movies in the theater. A LOT. Averaging four or five films a week, he sees just about everything that comes out that's worth seeing, and a lot that isn't. Looking back on 2008, Brian came up with his lists of the best and worst theatrical releases of the year. While there are a lot of films you would expect on the lists (is anyone surprised that the Paris Hilton vehicle the Hottie and the Nottie ended up on the worst list?) there are some pleasant surprises too. Be sure to check out The Best Theatrical Releases of 2008 and The Worst Theatrical Releases of 2008. As always, we invite you to share your thoughts on films In Theaters in our Movie Talk Forum.

Looking back on it, 2008 was a pretty good year for movies, both theatrically and on home video. From big budget Hollywood superhero flicks to foreign films and classic movies the past year saw some great releases. The DVD Talk review panel got together to pick the best of the best of 2008, and after two rounds of voting and much gnashing of teeth, this is the result. There are some surprising choices, and some truly great releases didn't quite make it, but that's what happens when you get a group of film geeks together. In any case, all of the entries are top-notch movies and TV shows that deserve a little extra time in the spotlight. Be sure to see if your favorite release made the list. Check out DVDTalk's Top 20 Discs of 2008.

What better way to ring in the new year than to watch some TV on DVD? Some of the newest TV series reviews include:  Frisky Dingo - Season 2 - this show is one of the crown jewels of Adult Swim, a goldmine for those who like their satire steaming hot and preferably a little on the bitter side; Star Trek: The Original Series - Three Season Pack - the complete 79-episode landmark television series newly remastered for DVD with restored image and audio quality and enhanced CGI effects; and The Odd Couple - The Complete Series - this is a great sitcom waiting to be rediscovered and reappraised. Other shows recently reviewed include:  Honey West: Complete Series, MI-5: Volume 6, and Storm Hawks: Showdown in the Skies.  Want more?  Check out all of the TV on DVD reviews in the DVDTalk database.

This week the DVD Savant has a number of new reviews including: DVD Savant Picks the Most Impressive Discs of 2008 - For the eighth year running Savant picks his ten favorites for the year, adding a long list of great discs for those who may have missed an important title or two. Some tough decisions this year -- and several of the winners turn out to be westerns; The Shuttered Room & It! - Warners' Horror Double Feature combines two sixties thrillers. The first is an amusing murder spree in old Baltimore with Patrick O'Neal in fine form as a homicidal maniac, and the second an English reworking of The Golem legend with Roddy McDowall as a crazy museum curator. Good color, fun horror nostalgia; and Burn After Reading - The Coen Brothers take on a "conspiracy of morons" in the nation's capitol -- that has nothing to do with party politics. George Clooney, Frances McDormand, John Malkovich, Tilda Swinton and Brad Pitt become entangled in a mix-up between CIA spies, health club trainers and a crazy dating service. Read all this and more in this week's DVD Savant.

2009 is shaping up to be a good year for film buffs with several key titles being released in high definition and SD DVD. Recently announced DVDs and Blu-rays of note include: Max Fleischer's Superman - Some of the greatest cartoons ever made are restored and released by Warners. Look for them on 4-07-09; The next TCM set features a collection of films staring Doris Von Kapplehoff, better known as Doris Day. TCM Spotlight: Doris Day Collection appears on 4-07-09 and contains It's A Great Feeling, Tea For Two, April In Paris, The Tunnel Of Love, and Starlift; and the cheesy but fun SF TV show M.A.N.T.I.S: Complete Series escapes to DVD on 1-27-09. Keep track of all the upcoming DVDs with the DVDTalk Release List.

New DVD releases have slowed to a trickle with the holidays past us, but there's still a few good discs coming out, just in case anyone has any disposable income left. Some of this week's more notable releases include: Serenity (Blu-ray) [review] - with taut storytelling, its insistence on subverting stock cliches, a dazzling scale with some awe-inspiring visuals, and an indescribably engaging cast this film teeters on the brink of perfection; Hellbound: Hellraiser II - 20th Anniversary Edition [DVD review]- a creative and genuinely frightening effort and this is its best DVD release yet; and Surfer, Dude [review]- Matthew McConaughey settles into pretty much his dream role as Steve Addington, an ace surfer who always has an impossibly gorgeous woman and a joint within arm's reach. Other releases of note include:  Towelhead [review], Days of Thunder (Blu-ray) [review], and Comedy Central Roast of Bob Saget: Uncensored [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.

Though the DVD releases may have slowed in the post-holiday season, DVDTalk's review panel continues to crank out the critiques. New DVD reviews include: Eagle Eye - LaBeouf and Monaghan both do an admirable job of giving this blend of real-time tech and outlandish action some personality; Planet B-Boy - people who enjoy a solid documentary with compelling stories and interesting participants won't want to miss this film; and The Girl Who Leapt Through Time - one of the most refreshing anime films to be released in a very long time and it definitely leaves an impression. Other recent reviews include: A Hole in a Fence, Haunted Histories Collection: Dracula, Witches, Voodoo, and Exorcism, and Douglas Fairbanks: A Modern Musketeer.  Visit the DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week and the ability to browse reviews by studio.

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