Top DVDs - DVD Top Pick Lists
Enjoy a variety of lists of top DVD picks.
Top Movies Released on DVD in 2008
The year 2008 has seen the release of some outstanding movies on DVD, and I've made a list of those I found to be the best.
The year 2008 has seen the release of some outstanding movies on DVD, and I've made a list of those I found to be the best.
Top Movies Released on DVD in 2007
The year 2007 has seen the release of some outstanding movies on DVD. Explore 2007 top dvds.
The year 2007 has seen the release of some outstanding movies on DVD. Explore 2007 top dvds.
Top Movies Released on DVD in 2006
The year 2006 has seen the release of some outstanding movies on DVD, and I've made a list of those I found to be the best.
The year 2006 has seen the release of some outstanding movies on DVD, and I've made a list of those I found to be the best.
Top Action Movies
Movies can show fierce battles, high-speed chases, and horrific explosions that most of us will never experience in real life, and I think such sequences properly used make films far more emotionally engaging. Here I've selected movies containing action that is well-integrated into the story. This is my personal, idiosyncratic list of favorites, and it doesn't necessarily reflect the popular wisdom on action movies. For the sake of focus, I've limited my choices to English-language talkies.
Movies can show fierce battles, high-speed chases, and horrific explosions that most of us will never experience in real life, and I think such sequences properly used make films far more emotionally engaging. Here I've selected movies containing action that is well-integrated into the story. This is my personal, idiosyncratic list of favorites, and it doesn't necessarily reflect the popular wisdom on action movies. For the sake of focus, I've limited my choices to English-language talkies.
Top Drama Movies
Conflict is essential to drama. The movies that move me deeply are those where the conflict grows out of what's at stake for the characters. This is true even in the case of "2001," where the most interesting character is a computer, and what's at risk is the next step in human evolution. This is my personal, idiosyncratic list of favorites, and it doesn't necessarily reflect the popular wisdom on drama movies. For the sake of focus, I've limited my choices to English-language talkies.
Conflict is essential to drama. The movies that move me deeply are those where the conflict grows out of what's at stake for the characters. This is true even in the case of "2001," where the most interesting character is a computer, and what's at risk is the next step in human evolution. This is my personal, idiosyncratic list of favorites, and it doesn't necessarily reflect the popular wisdom on drama movies. For the sake of focus, I've limited my choices to English-language talkies.
Top Comedy Movies
In addition to making us laugh, comedy movies make us think about our lives and the world around us in new ways. My choices of films here are an eclectic mix ranging over a variety of comedy sub-genres, including parody, screwball, and dark comedy.
In addition to making us laugh, comedy movies make us think about our lives and the world around us in new ways. My choices of films here are an eclectic mix ranging over a variety of comedy sub-genres, including parody, screwball, and dark comedy.
Top Foreign Movies
I think foreign-language films can show us things about the world we will never see if we watch only movies where the dialogue is in English. Here's a list of ten of my favorite foreign-language films by ten different filmmakers. Three of the movies are in French, two are in Japanese, two in Italian, and one each in Bengali, Russian, and Swedish. In my opinion, the films listed below are among the greatest in all of cinema.
I think foreign-language films can show us things about the world we will never see if we watch only movies where the dialogue is in English. Here's a list of ten of my favorite foreign-language films by ten different filmmakers. Three of the movies are in French, two are in Japanese, two in Italian, and one each in Bengali, Russian, and Swedish. In my opinion, the films listed below are among the greatest in all of cinema.
Top Horror Films on Video/DVD
Here's a list of some of my favorite horror films on video and DVD.
Here's a list of some of my favorite horror films on video and DVD.
Top Romantic Movies on Video/DVD
There's no guarantee of finding romance in real life, but if you know where to look, you can usually find romantic movies at least. Here's a list of my favorite romantic movies on DVD and video.
There's no guarantee of finding romance in real life, but if you know where to look, you can usually find romantic movies at least. Here's a list of my favorite romantic movies on DVD and video.
Top Renoir Films on DVD
Jean Renoir (1894-1979), son of celebrated impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir, was one of the greatest and most influential of all filmmakers.
Jean Renoir (1894-1979), son of celebrated impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir, was one of the greatest and most influential of all filmmakers.
Memorable Movies About Grads
I've always thought of graduation as not just a ceremony, but as a time of life on the threshold of change and discovery. But graduation almost inevitably forces major decisions about what to do next. Advanced schooling? Get a job? Relocate? Rethink romantic relationships? Take some time off? In alphabetical order, here's an idiosyncratic list of movies that come to mind about the joys and pitfalls awaiting high school and college grads.
I've always thought of graduation as not just a ceremony, but as a time of life on the threshold of change and discovery. But graduation almost inevitably forces major decisions about what to do next. Advanced schooling? Get a job? Relocate? Rethink romantic relationships? Take some time off? In alphabetical order, here's an idiosyncratic list of movies that come to mind about the joys and pitfalls awaiting high school and college grads.
Top Movies About Moms on Video and DVD
Here's a brief look at three of my favorite movies about motherhood and mothers. These films all have memorable mothers as characters, and all these movies have touched my heart and made me think about my own mother in different ways.
Here's a brief look at three of my favorite movies about motherhood and mothers. These films all have memorable mothers as characters, and all these movies have touched my heart and made me think about my own mother in different ways.
Top Memorable Movie Dads
Here's a brief look at some of my favorite movies that all have memorable fathers as characters. All these movies have touched my heart and have made me think about the relationships between fathers and their children in different ways.
Here's a brief look at some of my favorite movies that all have memorable fathers as characters. All these movies have touched my heart and have made me think about the relationships between fathers and their children in different ways.
Top Irish-Themed Movies on Video and DVD
I’ve come up with a list of ten movies about the Irish that I’ve enjoyed. I think all of these films are worth seeing and all increase our understanding of what it means to be Irish.
I’ve come up with a list of ten movies about the Irish that I’ve enjoyed. I think all of these films are worth seeing and all increase our understanding of what it means to be Irish.
Easter and Passover Movies
A list of movies whose themes reflect the Easter and Passover seasons.
A list of movies whose themes reflect the Easter and Passover seasons.
Summer Movies
Summer can be a great time for movies that are entertaining, light, fluffy, fun, and don't necessarily require a lot of thought. Watching diverting summer movies on DVD is a great way to relax and keep cool. Listed in alphabetical order, here are a few suggestions.
Summer can be a great time for movies that are entertaining, light, fluffy, fun, and don't necessarily require a lot of thought. Watching diverting summer movies on DVD is a great way to relax and keep cool. Listed in alphabetical order, here are a few suggestions.
Memorable Best Picture Oscar Winners
A friend of mine once suggested a movie's greatness can be measured by how much you think about it after seeing it, along with the way it lingers in your memory over time. I'm not sure if I agree with this, but it's an intriguing idea. The movies here aren't necessarily my favorites of the Best Picture Academy Award winners, but they are all films I've found memorable for various reasons. I've organized this list in reverse chronological order by year of theatrical release.
A friend of mine once suggested a movie's greatness can be measured by how much you think about it after seeing it, along with the way it lingers in your memory over time. I'm not sure if I agree with this, but it's an intriguing idea. The movies here aren't necessarily my favorites of the Best Picture Academy Award winners, but they are all films I've found memorable for various reasons. I've organized this list in reverse chronological order by year of theatrical release.
Ingmar Bergman Movies
I have long been intrigued by dreams, myth, and psychology, and perhaps that explains my attraction to the movies of Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman. Below I've given brief descriptions of 10 of my favorites, ordering them according to the date of their initial theatrical release. I've also tried to sketch an outline of the most productive part of Bergman's filmmaking career. As one who loves humanistic movies, I have found the body of work summarized here to be immensely rewarding
I have long been intrigued by dreams, myth, and psychology, and perhaps that explains my attraction to the movies of Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman. Below I've given brief descriptions of 10 of my favorites, ordering them according to the date of their initial theatrical release. I've also tried to sketch an outline of the most productive part of Bergman's filmmaking career. As one who loves humanistic movies, I have found the body of work summarized here to be immensely rewarding
Top 10 DVD Releases of 2005
The year 2005 has seen the release of some outstanding DVD's, and I've made a list of those I found to be the best. My criteria included the artistic merit of the movie, the enhancement value of the bonus materials, and the picture and sound quality.
The year 2005 has seen the release of some outstanding DVD's, and I've made a list of those I found to be the best. My criteria included the artistic merit of the movie, the enhancement value of the bonus materials, and the picture and sound quality.
Top DVD Releases of 2004
The year 2004 has seen the release of some outstanding DVDs, and I've made a list of those I found to be the best. My criteria included the artistic merit of the movie, the enhancement value of the bonus materials, and the picture and sound quality. I applied these criteria in a completely subjective fashion, and the result is a personal, idiosyncratic list of my own favorites that doesn't necessarily reflect the popular wisdom.
The year 2004 has seen the release of some outstanding DVDs, and I've made a list of those I found to be the best. My criteria included the artistic merit of the movie, the enhancement value of the bonus materials, and the picture and sound quality. I applied these criteria in a completely subjective fashion, and the result is a personal, idiosyncratic list of my own favorites that doesn't necessarily reflect the popular wisdom.
Top DVDs Released in 2003
So many good DVDs were released in 2003 that I find it difficult to choose the ten best. Nevertheless, I've compiled a list of ten of my favorites. Since 2003 was such a strong year for DVD releases of some of the true gems of the cinematic art form, this list is comprised entirely of masterworks of world cinema and classic English-language movies.
So many good DVDs were released in 2003 that I find it difficult to choose the ten best. Nevertheless, I've compiled a list of ten of my favorites. Since 2003 was such a strong year for DVD releases of some of the true gems of the cinematic art form, this list is comprised entirely of masterworks of world cinema and classic English-language movies.
Top DVDs Released in 2002
So many good DVDs were released in 2002 that I find it difficult to choose the ten best. Nevertheless, I've compiled a list of ten of my favorites that includes both contemporary and classic films released on DVD in 2002. Please note that the year in parentheses refers to the movie's original theatrical release. Here's my idiosyncratic list of what I feel are the best DVD films released in 2002.
So many good DVDs were released in 2002 that I find it difficult to choose the ten best. Nevertheless, I've compiled a list of ten of my favorites that includes both contemporary and classic films released on DVD in 2002. Please note that the year in parentheses refers to the movie's original theatrical release. Here's my idiosyncratic list of what I feel are the best DVD films released in 2002.
Top Foreign Films Released on DVD in 2002
Here are my favorite foreign films released on DVD in 2002. Most happen to be available as Criterion Collection DVDs with good special features, but my choices are based mainly on the artistic quality of the movies. Note that the year in parentheses refers to the movie's original theatrical release. Here's my idiosyncratic list of the best foreign films released on DVD in 2002.
Here are my favorite foreign films released on DVD in 2002. Most happen to be available as Criterion Collection DVDs with good special features, but my choices are based mainly on the artistic quality of the movies. Note that the year in parentheses refers to the movie's original theatrical release. Here's my idiosyncratic list of the best foreign films released on DVD in 2002.
Top Musicals Released on DVD in 2001
They say the movie musical is dead, but with three entertaining musicals being released on video/DVD in 2001, I'm beginning to wonder. Find out more about the videos/DVDs that once again sparked my excitement about the movie musical.
They say the movie musical is dead, but with three entertaining musicals being released on video/DVD in 2001, I'm beginning to wonder. Find out more about the videos/DVDs that once again sparked my excitement about the movie musical.
Top Picks - Best Movies on DVD of 2001
I've seen so many DVDs in 2001 that it's difficult to keep track of them all. But there are some that I'll never forget and feel confident I'll keep watching for years to come. Here's my list of what I feel are the best DVDs released in 2001.
I've seen so many DVDs in 2001 that it's difficult to keep track of them all. But there are some that I'll never forget and feel confident I'll keep watching for years to come. Here's my list of what I feel are the best DVDs released in 2001.
Top French New Wave Films
Explore the best of the French New Wave films. Read reviews of these movies on DVD.
Explore the best of the French New Wave films. Read reviews of these movies on DVD.
Top Billy Wilder Movies on Video and DVD
I've always marveled at how Billy Wilder’s comedies sparkle with dark humor and sharply cynical wit, but he was equally adept at creating fascinating mixes of drama and film noir in movies such as “Sunset Boulevard” and “Double Indemnity.” He was the creative force behind some of my favorite films.
I've always marveled at how Billy Wilder’s comedies sparkle with dark humor and sharply cynical wit, but he was equally adept at creating fascinating mixes of drama and film noir in movies such as “Sunset Boulevard” and “Double Indemnity.” He was the creative force behind some of my favorite films.
Top Classic Film-Noir Movies on Video/DVD
I've seen a lot of classic film-noir movies over the years, and since so many are available on DVD these days, I’m enjoying them more often. My choice of films doesn’t necessarily reflect the popular wisdom on film-noir classics; instead, this is my personal, idiosyncratic list of favorites from the 1940s and 1950s.
I've seen a lot of classic film-noir movies over the years, and since so many are available on DVD these days, I’m enjoying them more often. My choice of films doesn’t necessarily reflect the popular wisdom on film-noir classics; instead, this is my personal, idiosyncratic list of favorites from the 1940s and 1950s.
Top Gregory Peck Movies
He was one of cinema's best-loved actors, and although he is no longer with us, many of his performances will live forever in our hearts and minds. To honor his life and work, I've compiled a list of movies starring Peck.
He was one of cinema's best-loved actors, and although he is no longer with us, many of his performances will live forever in our hearts and minds. To honor his life and work, I've compiled a list of movies starring Peck.
Top Hitchcock Movies on Video/DVD
Alfred Hitchcock is one of my favorite directors, and whenever I'm in the mood for a stylish mix of suspense, terror, and perhaps a delicious dash of romance, his films have never failed to entertain and fascinate me. There are so many wonderful choices I found it difficult to decide, but here’s a list of ten of my favorites.
Alfred Hitchcock is one of my favorite directors, and whenever I'm in the mood for a stylish mix of suspense, terror, and perhaps a delicious dash of romance, his films have never failed to entertain and fascinate me. There are so many wonderful choices I found it difficult to decide, but here’s a list of ten of my favorites.
Top Luchino Visconti Movies
The varied cinematic vision of legendary filmmaker Luchino Visconti has never failed to amaze me.
The varied cinematic vision of legendary filmmaker Luchino Visconti has never failed to amaze me.
Top Military-Themed Movies on Video/DVD
I feel that movies about military life can be among the most dramatic of all films and can reveal much about the human condition as it is framed by politics and society. To honor all veterans of the U.S. armed forces, I've compiled a list of some of my favorite military-themed movies available on video/DVD.
I feel that movies about military life can be among the most dramatic of all films and can reveal much about the human condition as it is framed by politics and society. To honor all veterans of the U.S. armed forces, I've compiled a list of some of my favorite military-themed movies available on video/DVD.
Top Orson Welles Movies of the 1940s
Either as a film director, writer, actor-or when combining his talents- Orson Wells has been responsible for some movies I will never forget, many of which were created in the 1940s. Here are some of his films from the 1940s that always remind me of his genius.
Either as a film director, writer, actor-or when combining his talents- Orson Wells has been responsible for some movies I will never forget, many of which were created in the 1940s. Here are some of his films from the 1940s that always remind me of his genius.
Top Stanley Kubrick Films on Video and DVD
Stanley Kubrick is one of my favorite directors. I love his elegant visual style, sharp intellect, and dark humor. I feel that every movie he’s created has been marked by his undeniable genius. Here are my ten favorite Stanley Kubrick films.
Stanley Kubrick is one of my favorite directors. I love his elegant visual style, sharp intellect, and dark humor. I feel that every movie he’s created has been marked by his undeniable genius. Here are my ten favorite Stanley Kubrick films.
Top Vietnam War Movies on Video/DVD
The Vietnam War has been the subject of some of the most emotionally powerful, complex, and harrowing movies ever made. Here’s a list of a few of my favorites.
The Vietnam War has been the subject of some of the most emotionally powerful, complex, and harrowing movies ever made. Here’s a list of a few of my favorites.