We Like DVDs: B

The Beatles Anthology

Rusty W. Spell -- Anyone with even a passing interest in The Beatles should watch these, if not own them (every Beatles fan, of course, should own them). They're great. The TV special was very cool, but on DVD is the best way to watch them. There's more footage, and they're nicely broken down into eight episodes which serve as great documentaries in themselves. For example, if only episode one existed, you'd have a perfect documentary about The Beatles early days, and it would be the best documentary ever made about The Beatles. As with many things Beatle-related, the people involved (including, of course, The Beatles themselves) did this thing right. And the DVDs are great. The DTS sound is pretty remarkable; it's the way it should be heard. The footage looks great, the old stuff and the new stuff. The additional DVD of bonus material is by no means filler, but very interesting outtakes. A perfect gift from The Beatles to their fans.

Blue Velvet (Special Edition)

Tommy Burton -- The most controversial film of the 80s. Opinions are divided on it, so I won't go into any of that. I will say that I think it's a brilliant film, but I suppose that I'm partial. The special edition released by MGM gives the film it's proper airing. First off, director David Lynch used widescreen to great effect and it always lost something in the translation on the pan and scan video versions. This edition features a new transfer and lots of extras. Lynch doesn't talk much about his films, but this DVD has a cool documentary featuring Lynch himself (recorded at the time of the film's original release). It also has recollections from the cast. It's the best that Blue Velvet has ever looked and sounded.

Boogie Nights (New Line Platinum Series)

Rusty W. Spell -- A great-looking director-approved transfer. Heck, a great-looking box (I care about such things). The extras are great. There are the usual deleted scenes and outtakes (which are all worth watching), a music video, a section called "The John C. Reilly Files," which should say it all if you're a fan of his. Best of all is P.T. Anderson's commentary (since his commentaries are as good as most people's movies) with the added bonus of a commentary where Anderson interviews the cast and crew. The only thing missing is a trailer. What gives there? Other than that, a perfect presentation for a great movie.