NOTE FROM YOUR MOVIE EDITOR: Nathan Stevens
It has been decidedly tough to figure out who should win the best of the best of DVDs for the year. It’s completely a tie, though. Wall-E and The Dark Knight are both picks for me. I feel like Wall-E is a great title for the family, while The Dark Knight truly brings one of the best cinematic features to the homestead. Both carry a large amount of features that vary, considering they are remarkably different from each other (go figure) and highlight both films pretty damn clearly. I think that both films were big enough for the studios (Pixar and Warner Brothers) to go the extra mile when trying to figure out what to give the folks at home when it came to special features.
I do understand that these were my picks for Blu-ray, but I still think they’re just as good on DVD.
What can you say about 300 that hasn’t already been said. It’s a film that is a no-nonsense experience, as it takes a historical event and visually blows it out of proportion. I understand now why Zack Snyder got the Watchmen gig. Movie aside, the 300 Limited Collector’s Edition is a perfect example of what an ‘ultimate collector’s edition’ should be like. Too often movie studios use that term loosely and this release doesn’t. You got a hard cover booklet of scene to comic comparison and three discs (the feature, special features and added bonus features). You also get some nice mini-posters that are super-glossy, and one 3D image of our main man throwing a spear. Pretty darn cool for a $49.99 (probably cheaper elsewhere) price tag.
Ang Lee took an off-the-wall direction with a character that truly didn’t need that much emotional drive. Edward Norton and director Louis Leterrier rebooted the franchise, and even tied it in with Paramount Picture’s Iron Man, which turned out to be such a fantastic adventure. Action from the beginning to the end, you’ll find a more human Bruce Banner that doesn’t have quite the emo style the first maintained. Thankfully, no father included in this story. Excellent reboot of the series and stacked with features on DVD. It deserves and demands your attention, as you should give it.
I had issues trying to figure out which horror film to include in this year’s awards, but once I saw Cloverfield released this year, it was no contest. Cloverfield is a movie that truly is an experience to behold. It’s not simply a teen movie about idiot people in woods being chased by an imaginary witch, it’s a movie about being in the wrong place at the wrong time (for all parties included). It’s shot on video, mixed in with CGI and it is a great thrill ride. The DVD features are really quite entertaining, especially the easter eggs. So, if you’re a bit tired of watching A Christmas Story on TBS this year, it might be good to change gears a bit.
I will be the first to admit that I always thought of Iran, especially in light of the media today, as a godless country of unruly killers. Horrible, isn’t it? I believe this makes Persepolis one of the more powerful films of 2008. It gives you a great perspective on a country that hardly any Americans, who aren’t world history majors, barely know. You get to take a view through the eyes of a young girl about Iran’s birth, resurrection and rebirth and how it affected the people she knew around her. It’s an amazing tale and an amazing DVD. It has features that will catch your interest and hopefully inspire you to learn more about other people’s cultures. Excellent for those wanting something more than just entertainment.
As you may or may not be aware, we here at Digitalchumps are very light-hearted when it comes to humor, but down to business when it comes to recommendations. We absolutely believe that you should get what you pay for and stand by our reviews %100. Sometimes that bites us in the ass, sometimes it works out. Rest assure that all the time we do what we do for your own spending safety. With that said, I present to you this year’s best DVDs or DVD Sets. Each is in its own category for some time of award, which are for humor, but we completely recommend each DVD or DVD set we mentioned for legitimate reasons. I personally want to make you aware of what I believe should be on your holiday list for this year.
I truly believe that these are the best of the best of 2008 and you should consider them when you’re making your purchases this year.DVD of the Year Award
(It’s a TIE! — just like in the Blu-ray section)
WINNER: Wall-E / The Dark Knight
STUDIO: Pixar / Warner Brothers
RELEASE DATE: November 11th, 2008 / December 9th, 2008
RATING: G / PG-13
It has been decidedly tough to figure out who should win the best of the best of DVDs for the year. It’s completely a tie, though. Wall-E and The Dark Knight are both picks for me. I feel like Wall-E is a great title for the family, while The Dark Knight truly brings one of the best cinematic features to the homestead. Both carry a large amount of features that vary, considering they are remarkably different from each other (go figure) and highlight both films pretty damn clearly. I think that both films were big enough for the studios (Pixar and Warner Brothers) to go the extra mile when trying to figure out what to give the folks at home when it came to special features.
I do understand that these were my picks for Blu-ray, but I still think they’re just as good on DVD.
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DVD Truly a Collector’s Edition Award
WINNER: 300 Limited Collector’s Edition
STUDIO: Warner Brothers
RELEASE DATE: November 18th, 2008
RATING: R
What can you say about 300 that hasn’t already been said. It’s a film that is a no-nonsense experience, as it takes a historical event and visually blows it out of proportion. I understand now why Zack Snyder got the Watchmen gig. Movie aside, the 300 Limited Collector’s Edition is a perfect example of what an ‘ultimate collector’s edition’ should be like. Too often movie studios use that term loosely and this release doesn’t. You got a hard cover booklet of scene to comic comparison and three discs (the feature, special features and added bonus features). You also get some nice mini-posters that are super-glossy, and one 3D image of our main man throwing a spear. Pretty darn cool for a $49.99 (probably cheaper elsewhere) price tag.
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DVD Version 2.0 Much Better Award
WINNER: The Incredible Hulk
STUDIO: Universal Studios
RELEASE DATE: October 21st, 2008
RATING: PG-13
Ang Lee took an off-the-wall direction with a character that truly didn’t need that much emotional drive. Edward Norton and director Louis Leterrier rebooted the franchise, and even tied it in with Paramount Picture’s Iron Man, which turned out to be such a fantastic adventure. Action from the beginning to the end, you’ll find a more human Bruce Banner that doesn’t have quite the emo style the first maintained. Thankfully, no father included in this story. Excellent reboot of the series and stacked with features on DVD. It deserves and demands your attention, as you should give it.
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DVD That Will Scare the Piss Out of You Award
(You’ll still enjoy the adventure though)
WINNER: Cloverfield
STUDIO: Paramount Pictures
RELEASE DATE: April 22nd, 2008
RATING: R
I had issues trying to figure out which horror film to include in this year’s awards, but once I saw Cloverfield released this year, it was no contest. Cloverfield is a movie that truly is an experience to behold. It’s not simply a teen movie about idiot people in woods being chased by an imaginary witch, it’s a movie about being in the wrong place at the wrong time (for all parties included). It’s shot on video, mixed in with CGI and it is a great thrill ride. The DVD features are really quite entertaining, especially the easter eggs. So, if you’re a bit tired of watching A Christmas Story on TBS this year, it might be good to change gears a bit.
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DVD That Will Correct You on a Misconception Award
WINNER: Persepolis
STUDIO: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
RELEASE DATE: June 24th, 2008
RATING: PG-13
I will be the first to admit that I always thought of Iran, especially in light of the media today, as a godless country of unruly killers. Horrible, isn’t it? I believe this makes Persepolis one of the more powerful films of 2008. It gives you a great perspective on a country that hardly any Americans, who aren’t world history majors, barely know. You get to take a view through the eyes of a young girl about Iran’s birth, resurrection and rebirth and how it affected the people she knew around her. It’s an amazing tale and an amazing DVD. It has features that will catch your interest and hopefully inspire you to learn more about other people’s cultures. Excellent for those wanting something more than just entertainment.
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DVD Trilogy that Belongs on Your DVD Shelf Award
WINNER: The Godfather – The Coppola Restoration Giftset
STUDIO: Paramount Pictures
RELEASE DATE: September 23rd, 2008
RATING: R
STUDIO: Paramount Pictures
RELEASE DATE: September 23rd, 2008
RATING: R
Need I even tell you about how classic these movies truly are (sans the third one)? Coppola has restored these great movie titles to the highest DVD quality possible, plus included some of the best features you’ll find related to The Godfather titles. While I feel like the third film should be optional, I don’t think it costs much more to include it (I’m joking, I’m just glad his daughter is directing instead of… you know). This is a must-have for any fan of the films, or anyone aspiring to make films.
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DVD That Makes Us Happy He Did Films and Was a Remarkable Human Being Award
WINNER: Cool Hand Luke Deluxe Edition
STUDIO: Warner Brothers
RELEASE DATE: September 9th, 2008
RATING: PG
STUDIO: Warner Brothers
RELEASE DATE: September 9th, 2008
RATING: PG
I was introduced to Paul Newman’s films through my middle brother Jason. He loved Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid especially. Cool Hand Luke is a remarkable performance, one that rates up there in my top 15 movies of all-time, where Newman shows one of the most playful, yet emotionally compelling roles of his life. Cool, calm and collective define him and this movie. The DVD explores the movie and Newman more and provides more insight than most people knew about the film. It truly is sad that he left this world, but what he left this world is more than a handful of classics, Cool Hand Luke is among his best.
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DVD Collection That Will Make You Happy to Laugh Award
WINNER: MST3K 20th Anniversary Edition
STUDIO: The Shout Factory!
RELEASE DATE: October 21st, 2008
RATING: Not Rated
STUDIO: The Shout Factory!
RELEASE DATE: October 21st, 2008
RATING: Not Rated
Everyone is a critic, but wouldn’t it be funny to hear the critics as the film is going on? Creator Joel Hodgson drove this wacky idea into a television series that spanned a generation of viewers. The idea that you can take old, awful films and turn them into pure entertainment is priceless. This edition shows off some of the best that Mystery Science Theater 3000 had to offer and certainly doesn’t disappoint one bit. Rejoice and purchase if you want a constant reminder of the funniest failures in life. It’s good to laugh, especially during these economic times.