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Don’t Get Blu - Get These Blu-ray Collections
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Those looking to beef up their Blu-ray library don’t need to wait for the holidays, because everywhere you turn, Blu-ray “box sets” and “complete editions” are popping up. But it’s not just recycled stuff that you wouldn’t have watched on video tape, much less in high-definition. Instead it’s amazing collections that won’t sit for long on your shelf - you’ll be too busy watching them. Are you ready to open your wallet or pocketbook? If not, better look away because you’re going to see some Blu-ray discs that just won’t quit.
The Prisoner - The Complete Series/A&E
The iconic British TV series from the 1960s returns in full high-defined glory. Following the adventures of “Number 6” will enthrall as much today as they did back then - and who knew cordless phones would become tiny models we’d end up carrying around all the time? Locations look great in HD, and the sound has been beefed up so that important dialogue never disappears. And there’s tons of extras from interviews and photos and archived materials, all packaged in a case that doesn’t require 10+ DVD cases. You may not be a number, but getting this box set just might get you thinking how to be a free man.
The Wizard of OZ - 70th Anniversary Ultimate Collector’s Edition/Warner Home Video
The classic makes a 70th anniversary appearance - and what appears is a film with the kind of color and definition that probably wasn’t even seen in the theaters when it first came out. Or appreciated either. Add in the extras - which include detailed reproductions of movie posters and nostalgic looks back to the film’s heyday - and you and your family will find this film a delight to enjoy all over again. Especially when you hear just how good the musical numbers now sound.
The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy (Theatrical Edition)/New Line Studios
Our biggest beef with movies heavy on computer generated effects is that they get all muddy and “smudged” by the time they make it to home viewing. Those who saw LOR in an IMAX know that CG done right looks great - provided that you’re watching a venue that can display it well. So okay, Blu-ray fits that bill and each film tops the one before it special-effects wise. But what we care about is how great the characters look, how pure the colors look and how amazing the story plays out in a view of the Tolkien reality that makes it easy to suspend our belief. But now we hear it's been delayed so we just have to keep our eyes open.
Star Trek: The Original Series Season Two.Paramount Home Entertainment
The real future of outer space continues with the second season of Kirk and Spock - not kids like in today’s film, but well seasoned veterans willing to take on all comers with a Vulcan nerve pinch or a blast from a Phaser. The addition (and execution) of the altered scenes that can be viewed or not - where aspect ratios and optical effects and miniatures get replaced by computer enhancements - adds another dimension to the show. One that makes it even more interesting to watch than just a better overall view with superior audio. Add the extras and BD-Live and there’s plenty to keep you occupied in the 23rd Century. Although one wonders just how much high-def a Tribble really needs.
But even more exciting than Tribbles is the release of Season Three in Blu-ray, and not just because it contains the final episodes of the classic TV show, bonus features and BD-Live additions. The discovery was made of an alternate version of the Star Trek pilot featuring William Shatner that has not been seen. An alternate opening monologue, different theme music and of course an adventure that ST fans won’t want to miss.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs - Diamond Edition/Walt Disney Studio Home Entertainment
Who ever thought that all the lushness and depth of this amazing animated classic could be restored to a state where home viewing was possible? Or that Disney would find a way to “expand” the aspect ratio to widescreen without actually altering the film (i.e., artwork is added to “expand” the screen’s width). Or that the Witch could look so scary and the forest scenes so terrifying? Extras include a look at the studio Walt Disney was using in the day and there[‘s so much detail to be found in what's included it almost (not really though) eclipses the detail and depth of the film itself. Probably the greatest family film and definitely more than just an “animated” movie by the standards of any time. And that’s even before you try out the BD-Live Magic Mirror!
The Mel Brooks Collection/Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Get Blu in the face laughing with the King of Farce - that’s what we’d say if we were as clever as Mel. But this collection gives the HD treatment to some of his best films - and makes you laugh all over again. Blazing Saddles of course is there - beans anyone? - as is Young Frankenstein. But also High Anxiety spoofing Hitchcock and Spaceballs spoofing Star Wars plus five more, all restored like they should have been in the first place. Best of all is that the sound is right up there where it needs to be so every grunt, joke, pratfall and stupid moment gets the aural assist it deserves. Isolated soundtracks for the audiophile of course but plenty of other extras with Mel in them too.
Mama Mia! The Movie - The gimme! gimme! gimme! more Gift Set/Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Okay all you Mama Mia! fans, this Blu-ray box set doesn't just let you watch and sing along with the ABBA songs, it's filled with extras you can't live without. Like a CD of the soundtrack and a Collectible booklet. The two discs also adds bonus features - our favortie is the Sing Along mode. Time to get our throats warmed up.
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