After reading a few posts I see people say that they are most likley to start a DVD collection with must haves. I am wondering what 5 DVD's YOU consider must haves.

1- Braveheart
2- Jaws
3- Tombstone
4- Pulp Fiction
5_ Happy Gilmore
Thoes are my 5 ( I think ) hard to name just 5
Have a nice Day, Hall

Well, that really depends on why they would be must haves. If you mean your 5 favorite movies, that will be different for everyone. Here's some must haves for collecting/show-off reasons.

1) LOTR-EE (all 3 eventually)
2) Fifth Element
3) Anything from Criterion that you like
4) Monster's Inc.
5) Avia (or similar)

That's Avia for setup. MI and Fifth Element are for displaying colors and sound done VERY well on DVDs. Criterion and LOTR-EEs are for EVERYTHING done well on disc, including sound, picture, extras, and packaging. (except for the lack of anamorphic transfer on early Criterions)

I suppose right now a 6th would be Terminator 2, the latest version with a 1080p WM9 high definition transfer. But that can only be played on a PC so far.

Must Haves:

Lawrence of Arabia: Limited Edition

Fight Club: 2-disc Special Edition

Lord of the Rings (Extended Editions)

Alien Quadrilogy

Toy Story Ultimate Toy Box

Honorable Mentions:

Band of Brothers

Walt Disney Treasures

Memento: Limited Edition

Indiana Jones: The Complete Collection

Gladiator

Limiting to 5 was hard!

Crafty!

#1: Spinal Tap (narrative track) -- it's a whole new film with the whole cast looking back in anger, and in character, bitterly backbiting after years of continued decay since the original movie, not a kind word, or an unfunny one, about each other or anyone else as they recall old grudges and describe scene after scene, agreeing only on their loathing of the "documentarian" who they bitterly resent for making them look ridiculous.

#2: Memento -- start with a brilliant film and use DVD to add layers: amazing menus in the form of psychiatric tests -- even the regular extra material is hard to get to, let alone the special easter eggs; I tried for a day without success to see ANYTHING on disk 2 before resorting to IMDB in disgrace for a cheat sheet. The movie proceeds backward in time; if you know the secret, you can have the DVD reverse sequence and show the scenes chronologically forward.

3: La Belle et La Bete, aka Beauty and the Beast (1946 Jean Cocteau not disney!!) -- even by Criterion's exalted standards, a standout. This classic was cleaned, restored, patched up, then digitally polished to a fine sheen, with new subtitles, then graced with wonderful extras: interviews with the cinematographer conducted at the actual location of filming, a French TV feature about the makeup artist, two narrative tracks, a whole opera by philip glass running the length of the film (I declined that one), etc.

4: Basic Instinct -- an ordinary thriller by the standards of the time is a masterpiece in today's debased cinematic chum bucket, but the fun is in the two commentaries and extra features. The amused Dutch director describes being politically incorrect by both sides' standards: the running battle with gay activists in SF disrupting production, then his battle with the bluenose ratings board, then a detailed exhibit of the further slicing and dicing required for US television. The cherry on top is the second commentary track though: Who knew Camille Paglia was a film critic as well as a feminist (gifted with rare humor and intolerance for BS)?! She plays both roles in her commentary, discussing both the subtle and the obvious sexual references and meanings as well as the aesthetic elements. Even the package of this DVD is a treat, containing a whimsical (plastic, alas) ice pick.

5: Se7en [sic] -- another two-disk boatload of extras, most of which I've forgotten but which give a look at the impressive/obsessive level of detail and scrupulous precision combined with imagination that even an intent viewer wouldn't notice in the film, some of which never made it into the film. The murderer's maniacal diaries, volume after volume, were created but hardly shown, if at all, in the movie. The title sequence set a new standard; we hear all about it.

1- Big Money Hustlers, starring the Insane Clown Posse. This movie is a completely different movie with the comentary on. Watch it first with the comentary off, then enjoy it even more with the comentary on.

2- Godfather trilogy, always a classic.

3- Dune, the Dino De Laurentis version, not the Sci-Fi channel version.

4- Schindler's List, this movie shows the consequences of civilian disarmorment.

5- I'll Second Spiky's last item-the Avia disc.

Honorable mentions,
Pulp Fiction,
The Green Mile,
Fast Times at Ridgemont High,
The Blues Brothers,
Just about anything from Vivid Video Productions.

Too bad the Godfather films have trashed audio. I'm thinking of searching for the LDs instead.

I think as a combo of likes and ones to really show DVD medium: (not necessarily in order of best)
1. Die Hard I (5 Star Collection)
2. The Fifth Element (Superbit)
3. Starship Troopers (Superbit)
4. The Lion King
5. Fight Club (2-disc)

Others:
6. A Bug's Life (2-disc Collector's)
7. LOTR: Fellowship of the Ring
8. Alien Quadrilogy (though haven't seen it all yet)
9. Daredevil (really amazing visual and sound)
10. Die Another Day (also really amazing visuals and sound)

Hmmm, is it only me that considers the story to be of primary importance. Frankly I couldn't care less how good the sound and visuals are. If the story is rubbish it goes straight to the "bin" pile.

You don't watch very many adult titles do you?

Note that I said likes and "ones to show off medium". Those last two with amazing visuals and sound are amazing DVD's because it utilizes exactly what DVD's were meant for. They may not be Oscar contenders but because of the presentation of the DVD it made them truly exceptional and I think others would agree. Maybe if you viewed before criticizing. Please read the complete post before responding next time. Thanks.

I've read that the Godfather DVDs will be rereleased next year (and you will be able to buy the movies separately). I believe they will get new transfers.

Eh?


I have and I did . . . and they're still rubbish.

Odds are good that the rerelease (if this isn't just rumor) is simply going to be the current lineup split into individual packaging. You would lose the extras disc, obviously. Still doesn't sway the fact that the original audio is not included and the 5.1 remix is horrible. A silly oversight when there is, most likely, plenty of space on the discs as is to include a mono track.

djy, try this website.

www.excaliburfilms.com

The sell a fairly broad selection of adult titles.