Animated films continued to shine on DVD in 2003. The DVD format is particularly well-suited to the medium, offering brilliant colors and vivid detail, as well as the opportunity for the creators to supplement their films or TV shows with fascinating behind-the-cels featurettes and in-progress animatics that show us how animated films come together. And, as DVD is proving, animation isn't just for the kids. The majority of the titles on this list — yes, even the Looney Tunes set — will provide many hours of enjoyment for discerning viewers of all ages. The universal element of these titles is intelligent writing, most often barbed and hilarious (e.g., The Simpsons) but also weighty with emotional resonance (e.g., Finding Nemo). Yes, 2003 was a banner year for animation, so full of intricately hand-drawn cels and brilliant CG art that we decided to devote an entirely separate list to anime. (See Don Houston's Top 10 Anime DVDs of 2003 for that list.) Without further ado, here are the top 10 animated titles of the year.

1. Who Framed Roger Rabbit: Vista Series
You know the film. You know the legend of animation it's already become. Who Framed Roger Rabbit is one of those films that shoved the boundaries of special effects and film trickery to a new level, and raised the bar for whatever might come after it. It's an original concept turned brilliant by a dedicated cast and crew who were reaching far beyond themselves. Pay no attention to the film presentation on the so-called Family Friendly disc and go straight to the Enthusiast's disc, which offers a spectacular widescreen presentation and scrumptious extras, including a fascinating commentary, deleted scenes, special-effects breakdowns, and a multiparticipant documentary. Who Framed Roger Rabbit is itself a celebration of the form and history of animation, and the 2-disc special edition that holds it is a spectacular set that belongs in every film lover's library. (Review by Jason Bovberg)

2. 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. (Review of the Looney Tunes Premiere Collection by DVD Savant)

3. 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. Quite simply, the image and sound quality are the greatest of any animated title released this year. The only aspect of this DVD presentation that keeps Finding Nemo from the top spot of my list is the tendency of its supplements to target the kids. I yearned for the "enthusiast" treatment of Nemo and didn't quite get it. (Review by John Sinnott)

4. Futurama: The Complete Seasons 1 & 2
In the words of Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth, "Good news, everyone!" Not one but two entire seasons of Matt Groening's underappreciated sci-fi/animation geekfest Futurama appeared on DVD in 2003. The show is an insane amalgam of obscure science trivia, homages to cult sci-fi TV shows and films, and of course, that odd brand of Groening-flavored humor. Like most science fiction, Futurama serves as a potent — if absurd and cartoony — sociological commentary about our own present-day world. And that's how the show works best. The nerdily obsessive attention to pop-culture satire and scientific minutia is an almost unending source of intellectual fun. The image and sound are top-notch, and Groening continues his Simpsons trend of recording multiple-participant commentaries over every episode. Also, watch for a generous array of deleted scenes and animatics presentations. (Review of Season 1 by David Blair, and Review of Season 2 by Jason Bovberg)

5. King of the Hill: The Complete Seasons 1 & 2
Not to be undone by the inestimable Mr. Groening, Mike Judge (Beavis & Butthead) released two complete seasons of his sly animated series King of the Hill in 2003. The more episodes I watch of this show, the more I find myself invested in the often riotous, sometimes heartfelt adventures of Hank Hill, a proud good ol' boy whose business is the sale of "propane and propane accessories." The collection of episodes that make up the first two seasons are a blast, not only because you can follow the show's first unsure steps toward the hit it is today, but also because you can see that it was hilarious from the start. You'll also get a kick out of seeing how the animation and line work have evolved, and how the voice actors have slowly become more at home in their characters. Image and sound feel more low-rent than the presentation of Futurama, but I wouldn't have King of the Hill any other way. (Review of Season 1 and Review of Season 2 by Jason Bovberg)

6. The Lion King: Special Edition
Here's the movie that Finding Nemo usurped from the top box-office spot! And for good reason is The Lion King universally beloved. Capping a legendary string of Disney classics that included such gems as The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King roars with confidence in the midst of its musical, feel-good template. For the first time in a long time, Disney found a Greek-tragedy story and warmly drawn characters that really resonated. The video and audio presentations are terrific, particularly the sound quality — Disney has come up with an Enhanced Home Theater Mix made specifically for the confines of your viewing room. Aside from the confusing menus that you must wade through, the supplements on this set are quite generous. (Review by Aaron Beierle)

7. The Simpsons: The Complete Season 3
Truly a TV show that needs no introduction, The Simpsons is currently enjoying its fifteenth season and holding court as the longest-running television show in the history of the medium. The fact that we're getting only one season per year on DVD is what keeps this set from inching higher up the list. At this rate, we'll get the currently airing season in 2015. But if you set aside this glacial DVD-release pace, you're in for a genuine treat. We're entering the finest period in the show's run — the third through the sixth seasons — so we have much to look forward to over the next half-decade. Commentaries over every episode, and a variety of short pieces, make this set a must-own.

8. Treasure Planet
Here's an under-appreciated gem if there ever was one. A stunning disappointment at the box office, Treasure Planet offered a soaring concept — Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island in space! Best of all, the film fully lived up to its imagery potential, showcasing exquisite hand-drawn animation alongside breathtaking CG animation. Treasure Planet effortlessly brings to life a vividly colorful universe in which pirate ships glide through space and crusty aliens pursue lost treasure on strange worlds. The humor is infectious, the music appropriately uplifting, and the action is exhilarating. (Plus, it's the very first film I took my young daughter to see, so it holds a special place in my heart.) The film looks and sounds wonderful, exactly as you'd expect, and the supplements are generous if not exhaustive. (Review by Aaron Beierle)

9. South Park: The Complete Seasons 2 & 3
Yes, it's true. The raunchy, juvenile genius that is South Park beats the warmly regarded Disney classic Sleeping Beauty on this list. If you're a fan of the show, you understand the crazy, dirty appeal of Trey Parker and Matt Stone's cardboard-cutout creation. Every single episode of this great, boundary-crushing show provokes gut-busting laughter from this reviewer. South Park is an eye-popping thing of unlikely brilliance, spawned from the minds of a couple of Colorado oddballs. South Park's second and third seasons can't help but lose a little bit of the luster with which its first season glowed. By the time the show returned for its sophomore stint, we'd all had our turns being appalled by the show, and South Park lost the element of surprise. But the manic and carefree duo have produced two strong follow-up seasons, full of lunatic highs and groan-worthy lows, but entertaining throughout. Image and sound quality are predictably average, but that's part of the show's charm. (Review of Season 2 by Jason Bovberg, and Review of Season 3 by John Sinnott)

10. Sleeping Beauty: Special Edition
Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty is more powerful in memory than in actual viewing. Watching the film, you become aware of its shortcomings as a cohesive narrative. But looking back on the film, or remembering your first Sleeping Beauty experience when you were a child, you recall the spectacular images and the memorable moments more than you do the film as a whole. Sure, it's a classic fable, but if you really look at Sleeping Beauty, you see that it's actually an awkwardly assembled and somewhat lackluster endeavor that contains undeniably powerful singular moments. Regardless, Disney has lavished its utmost attention on the film, which clearly holds a special place in the corporate behemoth's large heart. The image has been cleaned and polished down the tiniest detail, and is breathtaking. The sound presentation is surprisingly strong for a film that's approaching the half-century mark. And the supplements will take a lot of your time — particularly if you're one of Sleeping Beauty's enchanted fans.

Eschewing the big DVD releases of the past year, I've made a list of my favorite DVDs that people may have overlooked for one reason or another.   To make it on the list, it had to be a DVD I really enjoyed that I had not seen a lot of discussion about.  Very subjective I know, but these lists always are, aren't they?   I tried to include a wide variety of genres, and passed over some equally good DVDs for the sake of breadth.  (I could have easily added three or four more silent movies.)  Here they are, in alphabetical order, my Top Ten DVDs you might have missed last year:

Adventures of Captain Marvel
This was an easy choice.  I've always been a fan of movie serials, and The Adventures of Captain Marvel is arguably the best serial that every came out of the Hollywood studios.  Veteran serial directors William Whitney and John English were the prefect choice to bring this comic book superhero to the silver screen.  They were able make take what could have turned into camp comedy and make a dramatic and exciting show.  The flying effects, using carefully set up camera angles and wires, were the best that had appeared in any movie up to that time, and wouldn't be surpassed for decades.  This Artisan disc looks good for a sixty year old B movie, and is very reasonably priced.   Well worth checking out.

Cracker
This psychological thriller TV show from the BBC is an outstanding series.  Fitz is a psychologist who workes wilth the London police.  He is absolutely brilliant at reading a person's personality and motivations.  He also may be less sane than the serial killers that he helps the police catch.  Excellent acting, a wonderful script and engaging characters.  The plots are well thought out, with tight plotting and surprising twists.  A must buy for anyone who likes well crafted tales.

Flight of the Phoenix
This has been a favorite of mine since I first saw it on TV in the early 70's.  A great disaster movie that puts most of the genre to shame.  A cargo airliner is blown off course and goes down in the middle of the Sahara.  Knowing that rescue is impossible, and having a small supply of food and water, an engineer aboard comes up with an insane plan to build a plane out of the mangled parts of the wrecked one.  The well written story packs a lot of suspense and realistically portrays how people react under extreme stress.  Jimmy Stewart leads an impeccable cast.  The beautiful cinematography makes the movie.

Gamera I, II, and III
What top ten list would be complete without a giant monster move?  This trio of Gamera movies, sold separately, are the 1990's updates of the classic 60's monster.  The effects are better, but the stories are the same.  A Giant flying turtle fights evil monsters bent on destroying Japan.  Great fun!

The General/ Steamboat Bill Jr.
No one who enjoys finely crafted comedies should miss these two classic Buster Keaton movies on one disc.  Keaton was that rare individual who had an instinctive grasp of comedy and the technical knowledge to make his funny movies into art.  Left to his own devices by the producer, Keaton pulled out all the stops on The General and created one of the best comedies ever made.  This story of a train engineer whose train is stolen by enemy solders during the civil was his masterpiece and still as funny today was it was eighty years ago.

Steamboat Bill Jr. is another excellent movie about a rough and tough steamboat captain who is dismayed to find that his son (Buster Keaton,) has turned into a fop.  The movie contains Keaton's most famous, and probably most dangerous, stunt. The facade of a two story house falls on him, but Keaton is spared by an open window on the second story.  Great gags and slapstick make this, Keaton's last independent film, a wonderful complement to The General.

The Kids are Alright
And rounding out the list is this movie that spent more time in my player last year than any other DVD.  An amazing film, The Kids are Alright, a film by über-fan Jeff Stien, captures all the power and exhilaration of The Who.  Consisting of their earliest television appearances, interviews, and performances made especially for the film, the humor, energy, and excitement of the group comes shining through.  The restoration makes this film look better than the first time I saw it during it's theatrical release.   A great DVD to annoy your neighbors with.

Lone Wolf and Cub, Sword of Vengeance
The first in a series of movie adaptations of  the Japanese comic, Lone Wolf and Cub is a great samurai movie.  Having fallen from grace through an act of treachery, Ogami Itto, once the Shogun's executioner, is now a masterless samurai.  Selling his services as an assassin, Ogami travels with his infant son, while planning vengeance against the people who disgraced him and killed his wife.  The gorgeous cinematography, interesting narrative and almost non-stop action earned this film a place on the list.

Mr. Death: The Rise and Fall of Fred A. Leuchter, Jr.
This documentary shows how one man's hubris can cause him to be successful in his profession and cause his undoing.  The movie starts out profiling the slightly bizarre, self trained execution consultant, Fred Leuchter.  It seems like a normal biography until about half way through, when it takes an unforeseen twist, and Fred attains a degree of fame.


The Office 1st season
A British TV series about the worst boss in the world.  Not because he's mean or unreasonable, but because he is so incredibly irritating.  Filmed in the style of a reality TV program, this show manages to be very funny while not feeling like a sitcom.

War & Peace
Clocking in at over seven hours, this movie is the most accurate portrayal of Tolstoy's masterpiece ever filmed.  Made with the might of the Soviet Union behind the production, this lavish film rivals the epics of the silent era for extravagance.  Having over 120,000 extras, including full Russian and French armies, and 35,000 costumes, this film was reputed to cost $100 million over the seven years it took to make.  The results are spectacular.

10. Casablanca: 2-disc Special Edition - Dolby Digital Mono
With the inevitable glut of modern DD 5.1 and DTS tracks that will dominate this list, I felt at least one restored mono release should get some attention. Out of all the classic films I've experienced this year on DVD, Warner Bros.' Casablanca 2-disc Special Edition impressed me the most in terms of audio quality. While not a perfect sounding audio mix in the least, there's a lot to appreciate here...most notably the much-restored dialogue. While the sound effects and even a few musical numbers are a little on the tinny side, the 61 year-old Casablanca has never sounded better, and that's why it's here.

9. Winged Migration - DD 5.1
One of the sleepers of this year, Winged Migration is a stunning documentary about birds, and sounds just as good as it looks! The 5.1 mix is one of the most immersive and dramatic in recent memory, and really makes you feel like one of the flock. For a break from all of the explosions and car crashes from the latest Hollywood action flick on DVD, check out Winged Migration. It's a resfreshly different kind of audio experience, and your ears will thank you!

8. Finding Nemo - DD 5.1
Our next entry in the Top 10 takes us from the air to the sea...Finding Nemo is another highly enveloping sound mix, and should earn praises from both audiophiles and their kids! The DD 5.1 mix is surprisingly aggressive at times, and is a work of art in its own right. The soundtrack and score are both surprisingly full and well-rendered, and also deserve special mention. Let me tell you, being underwater for 90 minutes never sounded so good.

7. The Work of Director Chris Cunningham - DD 2.0 Surround
The second entry in the Directors Label Series by Palm Pictures, The Work of Director Chris Cunningham is a collection of music videos and other short works by the UK director. From the menu design to the films and videos themselves, this is pure sonic assault and will have your ears begging for mercy. Feautring videos from Aphex Twin, Squarepusher, and many more, this disc is one of the most aggressive I've heard in a while...especially surprising for a 2.0 Surround mix! Give this one a spin...it'll really throw your ears for a loop!

6. Jane Goodall's Wild Chimpanzees - DTS, DD 5.1
What's another nature documentary doing in the Top 10? Sitting pretty at a very respectable #6, that's what. This release is a wondeful film about Jane Goodall and her famous work with chimpanzees, and the sound mix is simply amazing! Much like Winged Migration, this is another break from the noise, but an equally enthralling audio experience. The highlight of the release is the DTS track, but don't let that hold you back if you don't have the equipment...the 5.1 mix is also excellent in its own right. If you're still not convinced, hunt this one down and hear it for yourself!

5. The Beatles Anthology - DTS, DD 5.1, PCM Stereo
This updated version of the popular VHS boxed set from a few years back gives you every reason to make the upgrade, especially in the audio department. It features a great selection of audio mixes for your listening pleasure, and gives every classic track new life! The PCM stereo track is an especially nice inclusion, so all sound systems have something to look forward to. Heck, this sounds so good, it's worth the purchase even if you don't like the Beatles (shame on you both). If that isn't reason enough to make the list, I don't know what is.

4. Das Boot: Superbit - DTS
While it isn't nearly as old as Casablanca, there's no denying that Wolfgang Peterson's Das Boot is a classic. This awesome movie is one of the most influential thrillers of all time, and the sound design is one of the many reasons for that. Thankfully, this one finally gets a major upgrade in the form of an equally awesome DTS track...it's an impressive mix that will have you on the edge of your seat for over 3 hours! While I'm normally not the biggest fan of Superbit, Das Boot is one of the better offerings and deserves high marks for its stunning audio. If you have any prior versions of this movie on DVD, give this version a rent and hear the difference...it's well worth it!

3. Alien (from the Alien Quadrilogy) - DTS, DD 5.1
Like, Das Boot, Ridley Scott's Alien was a majorly influential movie in desperate need of a worthy audio treatment. While the Special Edition was great, the recent Alien Quadrilogy boxed set is an absolute masterpiece in every department. While all four movies featured excellent sound quality, the first deserves the most praise...it's now nearly 25 years old, but you'd never know by listening. This is one of the most effective mixes for any horror movie, and the subtle (and not-so-subtle) uses of surround really up the creep-out factor here. Even in scenes of extreme quiet (where you only hear the purr of the spaceship engine), it's hard not to be impressed by Alien. Both audio mixes really do wonders for the effectiveness of the movie itself, and that's what makes everything work so well.

2. Starship Troopers: Superbit - DTS
Whille not the most critically acclaimed film of our time, you can't deny the over-the-top audio armageddon found in Starship Troopers. Huge bugs explode, soldiers are massacred, and you'll be amazed at the sound mix every step of the way. This has been released several times on DVD so far, but the new Superbit is the way to go for the true audio enthusiast. This is another spectacular DTS track, and will really make your neighbors hate you...even the ones down the block. Oh well, just invite them over too. This is a truly excellent effort, and well-deserving of the #2 spot this year.

You won't find The Two Towers or the Alien Quadrilogy here. No, this is a list of 10 DVD releases from the past year unlikely to make many (or any) other Top Ten lists. This reviewer freely admits to not having a speck of influence with big money, high profile releases, and so humbly opts to use his bandwidth to instead encourage readers to sample the following offbeat entries, movies and TV shows that made a lasting impression on those lucky enough to stumble upon them during 2003.

(in alphabetical order)

Avanti! -- Older library titles, films like Avanti! (1972), what with its ordinary mono sound and standard 1.85:1 presentation, rarely get much attention from the technophile crowd. And Billy Wilder's last masterpiece was too adult, too leisurely cinematic to be appreciated when it was new, and today is lost in the shuffle of retrospectives, which invariably pass this one over in favor of better-known, more popular titles. It was released to DVD earlier this year but hardly anyone noticed, partly for its lack of supplements and techno-pizzazz. But Avanti!, about a middle-aged businessman (Jack Lemmon) who has an affair with the daughter (Juliet Mills) of his father's mistress, is Wilder's sweetest, most romantic, and most melancholy film. In some ways it's similar to the director's much more famous, Oscar-winning The Apartment (1960), but this is the richer, more mature work. MGM's DVD is a stunning presentation, with Luigi Kuveiller's lush cinematography of the Italian coastline looking better, probably, than it did in theaters when it was new.

Carry On Collection (Region 2/PAL) -- On the heels of Anchor Bay's box set of the first 11 Carry On comedies (plus the compilation film That's Carry On) comes Carlton's same-titled collection of the 18 features that followed, made between 1966-78. This mammoth box is, admittedly, for die-hard fans, but even those who casually enjoy British screen comedy will want to sample such latter-day classics (all sold individually) as Carry On…Up the Khyber (1968), Carry On Camping (1969), and Carry On Abroad (1972). Most titles come with warmly nostalgic commentary tracks, elaborate and full-color booklets, and complete episodes of the mid-'70s half-hour series "Carry On Laughing." Follow That Camel (1967) has a nice archival interview with star Phil Silvers, while even two of the weakest films, Carry on England (1976) and Carry On Emmannuelle (1978) have their fair share of tempting extras. The former offers both the censored reissue version and the original director's cut, while Emmannuelle (sic) includes an amusing and informative documentary on the 30-film series, What's a Carry On?, produced in 1998.

Christ in Concrete -- All Day Entertainment's DVDs are, as they put it, "movies that fell through the cracks." As for Christ in Concrete (1949) - it was pushed. A kind of urban Grapes of Wrath, adapted from Pietro Di Donanto's semi-autobiographical novel, Christ in Concrete (also known as Give Us This Day) was made in England by blacklisted director Edward Dmytryk, before he turned fink to salvage his evaporating career. The film is almost revelatory in its effective blend of noir and neorealism, especially the moving performances of lead actors Sam Wanamaker and Lea Padovani, whose naturalness is years ahead of its time, more so even than the Method acting that was simultaneously invading Hollywood. A nearly lost film of historical, literary, and cinematic import, All Day has supplemented the DVD with a commentary track, an original featurette, DVD-ROM material on the picture's spotty distribution, and even a 1965 spoken-word opera adaptation of the novel with Eli Wallach.

Circus World (Region 2/NTSC) -- This is one of four Samuel Bronston's epics (the others being El Cid, Fall of the Roman Empire, and 55 Days at Peking) at long last given the royal treatment on DVD, in 16:9 enhanced transfers with 4.0 Dolby Digital stereo, albeit in Japan under the TFC Classic Library label. El Cid (1961), the classic Anthony Mann/Charlton Heston epic, is the obvious choice, but Henry Hathaway's circus story is the most underrated of the batch. It has a surprisingly intimate script whose qualities have never been properly acknowledged, and overall the film runs three rings around Cecil B. DeMille's hokey Best Picture winner, The Greatest Show on Earth (1952). Not counting Chaplin's The Circus, it's probably the best film of its kind; certainly none of the other contenders (The Big Circus, Berserk!, et. al.) even come close. With its epic production values-which include the real-life capsizing of a giant shipload of circus animals and an uncomfortably realistic fire, all impressively achieved without the aid of CGI-along with an underrated performance by John Wayne and great support from character player Lloyd Nolan, Circus World is film ripe for rediscovery. And, thanks to TFC's import DVDs, Samuel Bronston's roadshows can finally be seen in the best possible light.

Game of Death (Region 2/PAL) -- For such an emphatically ludicrous and exploitative picture, Game of Death (1978) sure is a lot of fun. This is the notorious faux Bruce Lee movie built around footage Lee shot (for an ultimately unmade film) shortly before his death in 1973. With the exception of Warner Bros.'s Enter the Dragon American fans of the martial arts icon have been stuck with awful PD versions of Lee's films, or unimpressive 4:3 letterbox versions from Fox. In Britain, though, Medusa Communications and Hong Kong Legends have released gorgeous (and legitimately-licensed) 16:9 versions of these same titles, lavishing them with the kind of attention and exhaustive extras usually reserved for the likes of James Bond. This DVD has everything: a commentary track by genre expert Bey Logan, a lengthy documentary/retrospective on Lee, endless featurettes on the various martial arts seen in the film, interviews with cast and crew members (even ex-Bond George Lazenby, who was to have co-starred in Lee's 1972 version), deleted scenes and trailers. Best of all is a 40-minute reconstruction of Lee's original concept for the incredible climax, using a good deal of footage of Lee not used in Game of Death.

Home from the Sea (Region 3) -- Hong Kong's Panorama Entertainment has been steadily releasing classic and contemporary films from Japan's Shochiku library for several years now, everything from epic Hideo Gosha jidai-geki to Kurosawa's Scandal (1950) and Ozu's Late Autumn (1960). Shochiku's decision to basically dump its assets in Hong Kong is a mixed bag for consumers. Panorama's releases have been less than pristine (i.e., scratchy, non-anamorphic transfers), and the English subtitles, fine at first, have become increasingly slapdash and inadequate. The DVDs are so cheap that people who love Japanese cinema are racing to purchase these long-lost classics, but one can't help but wonder how this might impact the market for Region 1 editions down the road. In any case, it's impossible not to welcome the availability of so many great films which at best received limited theatrical release in the U.S. One 2003 release that particularly stands out is Home from the Sea (1972), a richly woven drama from director Yoji Yamada, whose work is long overdue for a U.S. retrospective. The film follows Seiichi (Hisashi Igawa) and Minko (Chieko Baisho), a married couple who haul tons of rocks aboard their rickety, outdated boat along the Seto Inner Sea. This is one of those movies that really puts the viewer deep inside the minds and emotions and daily lives of its subjects. A middle-period work from the writer-director of Twilight Samurai (2002), Home from the Sea is exquisite, recalling the great Italian Neorealist films of the 1940s. The subtitles are pretty good on this title, though the DVD is incorrectly (and non-anamorphically) letterboxed at about 1.66:1 (film was shot in Shochiku GrandScope - 2.35:1).

Shock Waves -- No DVD label is doing more for drive-in sleaze and Euro-trash than Blue Underground, whose team is composed of recent emigrates from the Anchor Bay label. Few of their titles thus far could actually be called good movies - though this reviewer is a big fan of the international heist thriller Grand Slam - but who else would produce so glossy and respectful a tribute to the likes of Jesus Franco? Their sleeper of 2003 is Shock Waves (1977), a delightfully retro yet effective sci-fi/horror movie about Nazi zombies sloshing about off the mucky, remote Florida coast. Though made on a shoestring budget, producer Reuben Trane and director/co-writer Ken Wiederhorn managed to wrangle name and rising talent like Brooke Adams, Peter Cushing, and John Carradine to the project, which is consistently inventive. One of the very best no-budget horror films.

The Truth About Charlie/Charade -- First, let's get one thing clear: I'm not a fan of The Truth About Charlie, I've never seen The Truth About Charlie, and have no particular interest ever in seeing The Truth About Charlie. But I adore Charade (1963), the witty, romantic thriller directed with much imagination and style by Stanley Donen. The film was never properly copyrighted, and for years everyone and his mother released tapes and DVDs of this public domain title, usually off ugly, faded TV prints. Criterion released a very nice special edition version a few years back, but that was in non-anamorphic, 4:3 letterboxed format. Finally a definitive version of the movie is out there. Universal shrewdly included a 16:9 enhanced Charade as a supplement to their DVD of The Truth About Charlie, the tepidly-received 2002 remake. Even people who profess to not liking "old" movies will surely be sucked into this sharply written (by Peter Stone), admirably unpredictable thriller which also happens to be one of the most romantic films of all time. Unsurprisingly, Cary Grant is effortlessly enchanting and the luminous Audrey Hepburn proves what a marvelous comic actress she was. And, despite the obvious difference in their ages - he was 59, she was 34 - they have terrific screen chemistry. Walter Matthau, James Coburn, and George Kennedy are featured; Henri Mancini wrote the memorable score and Maurice Binder did the eye-popping title design.

You Bet Your Life - The Lost Episodes -- All classic television shows deserve the love and attention Shout Factory has given this still-funny '50s game show, which was little more than an excuse for comedian Groucho Marx to ad-lib with ordinary people. Now more than ever, the program plays like a time capsule of 1950s Americana, with Groucho cautioning his audience about the dangers of juvenile delinquency, joking about the 1952 presidential race and Marilyn Monroe, and awkwardly interacting with iconic '50s comic Ernie Kovacs, whose style was completely at odds with the 60-something vaudevillian. The show was also an anomaly among the WASPish, white bread '50s airwaves. Groucho was a big supporter of civil rights, had one of TV's first integrated orchestras (led by The Wild Bunch's Jerry Fielding), and had more minorities as guests on his show than virtually anything else on television. And it was the guests and Groucho's interaction with them that was the heart of the program, from Emmett Ashford, the first black umpire in professional baseball to, especially, the hilarious and surreal exchange between Groucho and a bemused Pedro Gonzales-Gonzales. Shout Factory's set of 18 episodes, spanning 1950-59, easily gets my vote as the most attractively-packaged (by an outfit called Tornado Design) box set of 2003. Included is a full-color 20-page booklet crammed with photos and information about the show. The extensive extras continue with a wide variety of original commercials (best of the bunch: a beret-wearing Groucho driving down the Champ Elys�es in a new, king-size De Soto), original outtakes, some of which can be programmed to play within the context of the episode, a behind-the-scenes film, a holiday record sent to De Soto dealerships, and the show's original radio "audition" tape. This is one classy package.

Zulu (Region 2/NTSC) -- Director Cy Endfield and producer-star Stanley Baker's epic film (based on a true story) about vastly out-numbered British soldiers defending a mission against thousands of chanting Zulu warriors still holds up as terrifically suspenseful entertainment. MGM released a not-bad, no-frills monophonic version of this title, but better still is Paramount's Japanese DVD, which uses the same 16:9 video master, but offers a resplendent, full stereo Dolby Digital Surround mix that, to my ears at least, sounds phenomenal. Also included is an informative audio commentary track and a multi-part 16:9 documentary that would be definitive were it not for the absence of Michael Caine, whose role in this picture helped make him an international star. (He's also missing from the DVD of The Italian Job--what's up with that?)

10) Legend of Lambeau Field
Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers, is the greatest stadium in professional football. It's been said that a football fan hasn't lived until he's seen a game at Lambeau Field. Legend of Lambeau Field doesn't take the place of such an experience, but it certainly fills the void until that day comes. (Review by James W. Powell)

9) History of Soccer:The Beautiful Game
The History of Soccer: The Beautiful Game is certainly outstanding in terms of the material it pulls together: rare footage from the earliest days of the sport, clips from countless important championship and World Cup events, and interviews with many major players from around the world. When the special features are taken into account, The History of Soccer becomes even more comprehensive. For die-hard soccer fans, this DVD is a hit. (Review by Holly E. Ordway)

8) Rudy (Deluxe Edition)
In Rudy, we see a small man attempt the impossible and go for his dreams of playing football for the Fighting Irish. It's definitely an emotional ride that centers more around the kid's determination than it does around the sport, but that's not to say it doesn't offer some nice glimpses into the world of college football. With a deluxe edition that boasts great audio, video, and bonus features, Rudy deserves a spot on anyone's DVD shelf. (Review by Don Houston)

7) Ultimate Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky is the best hockey player to ever take the ice. With 61 NHL records, that's a hard statement to debate. Now, with the 2-disc set that boasts a personal and historical look at the man's brightest moments, fans of The Great One, as well as those too young to have witnessed his abilities, can see just what made him so special. (Review by James W. Powell)

6) Warren Miller's Cold Fusion
Warren Miller has been making people excited to hit the slopes for over 50 years. His films have become world renown for his use of cool music, breathtaking locations, cringe-inducing wrecks, and of course, some of the sickest snow tricks ever caught on film. Cold Fusion, his 2001 feature, offers all of this and more. It's the most fun, most exciting film he's done in the last decade. (Reviewby James W. Powell)

5) History of the Green Bay Packers/History of the Cowboys
These NFL history DVDs are perfect for Packers or Cowboys fans, and for any fan of vintage football. The footage of the old school players and coaches alone makes these discs worth your attention. Each 2-disc set includes interviews with the teams' greats, both past and present, and features stunning clips of the teams' greatest eras. These discs are perfect for starting football discussions amongst the various generations in your family. (Packers review and Cowboys review by James W. Powell)

4) 2003 Tour of Flanders
Although the Tour de France offers a little more accessibility due to its popularity, the 2003 Tour of Flanders DVD features even more action and thrilling sports moments. The 2-disc DVD coverage runs about three hours and 10 minutes, allowing viewers to see all of the exciting action as it happens; it's exactly the right amount of coverage for this marvelous race. Filled with excitement from start to finish, with clear and insightful commentary provided along every step of the way (not to mention a nice transfer), the 2003 Tour of Flanders is highly recommended. (Review by Holly E. Ordway)

3) Muhammad Ali: The Greatest Ever
Muhammed Ali: The Greatest may be the finest documentary on the legendary boxer. Minus glowing interviews and any historical perspective, it simply jumps right into the moment and whisks the viewer along. Ali has always been a dynamic, brilliant showman and Klein's film does a great job of mixing his persona with the voices of his fans. Made in a gritty cinema verite style, this seminal documentary looks at the world's most famous athlete both from an intensely intimate perspective and from a broader world view. If you haven't seen this documentary, do yourself a favor and check it out. (Review by Gil Jawetz)

2) Seabiscuit
Seabiscuit isn't just a horse movie. It certainly features plenty of great racing action, but it's actually an inspirational true story with an emotional backbone. As if the spectacular film weren't enough to place this one on the top ten list, the DVD (either the regular edition or the deluxe) boasts nearly perfect audio and video presentations along with some great extra features. Seabiscuit is a solid film that can be enjoyed more than once, and I can't recommend it enough. (Reviewby James W. Powell)

1) NFL Films Super Bowl Collection I-X
The men who played the game in the '60s and '70s were truly gladiators. They were warriors who fought it out on the football field, blow for blow, and helped pave the way for the game we see today. There's Deacon Jones, Ray Nitschke, Fran Tarkenton, Joe Namath, and Gayle Sayers. Then there's Johnny Unitas, Charlie Taylor, Dick Butkus, Bob Hayes, and Franko Harris. The list goes on and on. And they're all captured in one collection.

This 5-disc set features some of the greates moments of the first ten Super Bowls and the seasons that preceded them. The game clips are staggaring, and speak volumes about the talent of these men during the early years of the NFL. If you're a fan of the old school game (if you're a fan of the game you really should be), this set is definitely for you. (Review by James W. Powell)

Fitness Subset

Spinervals Fitness 2.0: Sweating Buckets
Doesn't matter which one of these fitness programs you get into, you're going to sweat. But try Sweating Buckets. (Review by Holly E. Ordway)

Yoga for Urban Living
The yoga routines on this disc are perfect for beginners and veterans alike. (Review by James W. Powell)