Carl 's Pick of Released Titles

Release Lists Home Page

Blu-ray Releases North America

Blu-ray Releases International

Blu-ray Releases Australia

HD DVD Releases North America

HD DVD Releases International

HD DVD Releases Australia

Carl 's Pick of Released Titles

Link to Blu-ray Region Code Site

Recommended Releases Available Now

Here are some of my favorite 'experience' films released on hidef. No apologies given for my highly opinionated descriptions.

Blu-ray

2001: A Space Odyssey (Region ABC)
A milestone in the development of film narrative, with production design decades ahead of its time.
Apocalypto (Region ABC)
Fantastic, historical, action film that doesn't take itself too seriously. How can it when its all in Mayan language and subtitled in English? A sumptuous visual feast that is riveting all the way through.
Almost Famous (extended 'bootleg' version) (Region ABC) (UK release)
A soulful coming-of-age tale set against a 1970's rock journalism backdrop.
Black Book (Region ABC)
Despite less than positive reviews, I love this Dutch War drama with its entrancing lead actress.
Blade Runner (Final Cut) (Region ABC)
A classic film-noir sci-fi film. This new final cut streamlines the movie and puts the finishing touches on this bleak tale about what makes us human. Check out the special features as the 'making-of' is a tale of high drama in itself.
Blood Diamond (Region ABC)
A damn fine action/drama/adventure. the first film with DeCaprio where he didn't detract from the movie.
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (Region A)
A western of sorts with driving linear narrative that seems like it can only end with one outcome, and does. But it is fascinating and compelling all along the way most likely due to its impeccable cast and direction. Shot with grainy stock and lots of filters the image isn't great for a hidef release but still a step up from DVD. Source locally if you don't have a region A player.
Casino Royale (Region ABC)
In the top three Bond films, if not the best. Linked here is the fully uncut Australian release.
Closer (2004) (Region ABC)
A thematic remake of one of Mike Nichols earlier films, Closer is a bitter yet faintly beautiful tale of four unlikable and unredeemable characters.
Cloverfield (Region ABC)
I hated the trailer, I hated the viral marketing and I usually hate any patronizing hand-held camera work (The Bourne movies were write-off for me because of this). However I loved this film; the way the narrative is revealed, the hidden details of the plot, the scope of the events and of course that over the top subwoofer track. Best viewed knowing nothing about it.
Departed, The (2006) (Region ABC)
Despite a few plot holes and not being as good as the original (Infernal Affairs), this is still powerful cinema from Martin Scorcese.
Devil Wears Prada, The (2006) (Region A)
A really good chick-flick. Source locally if you don't have a region A player.
Evil Dead II: Dead By Dawn (Region ABC)
Absurd, slapstick, black humored horror. The best of the trilogy and stands alone for those that haven't seen the first movie. Not the best compression, but still worth hidef viewing.
Fifth Element, The (Region ABC)
A great, cheesy, comedy and in space too!
Fly, The (1986) (Region A)
A dark, sci-fi horror from David Cronenberg which stands up today. Jeff Goldblum's finest hour? Source locally if you don't have a region A player.
Gattaca
One of my favorite movies. A smart, inspirational story about the human spirit, with a distinct production design and an understated musical score.
Goodfellas (Region ABC)
After The Godfather, a couple of decades of mafia dilution into middle America gives us Goodfellas. A dizzying journey to the inevitable. Scorcese should have won an Oscar for this one.
Infernal Affairs (Region ABC)
A great crime thriller which is better than the film it inspired (The Departed)
Juno (Region A)
It is hard to recommend this one simply because it was so over hyped. Objectively it is a great little indy-style film with soul and some quirky characters and performances. Source locally if you don't have a region A player.
Kingdom of Heaven (Director's Cut) (Region A)
I hated the theatrical version at the cinema, but I love this version with its sweeping cinematography and expanded, relaxed phrasing. Source locally if you don't have a region A player.
Life of Brian (Region ABC)
The best of the Monty Python films.
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (Region A)
A great seafaring story about a captain's conflict between his duty and his pride. Excellent acting, characterizations and production values with an intelligent and unconventionally structured script. Fox should go stand in the corner of shame for not including all of the DVD extras. Source locally if you don't have a region A player.
Mission Impossible III (Region ABC)
A good action spy adventure film which works well. Easily the best of the series.
No Country for Old Men (Region ABC)
Brilliant and skilled film making with only a page of dialog for the first 30 minutes, with every grunt and breath rehearsed. The usual cliched musical cues are avoided with a total of only 2 minutes of subtle musical scoring. The 'controversial' ending is merely unconventional in that it requires thought on a thematic level, rather than a spoon feeding of Hollywood drivel. Regardless, the resulting film is a gripping suspense story that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Oldboy (Region ABC)
A grim and gritty revenge film, filled with unique slices of cinema chopped up and served raw. There are many scenes you wont have seen anything like before.
Orphanage, The (Region A)
A great little Spanish horror film which avoids corny shocks, obnoxious teens and plot holes, in favor of some great chilling ambience, suspense and an interesting story. Source locally if you don't have a region A player.
Pan's Labyrinth (Region ABC)
A young girls fantasy world seamlessly woven into a Spanish war tale. And it works extremely well!
Passage to India, A (Region ABC)
One of David Lean's lesser works but it still reverberates with the feeling of the old world, the colors of India, and a style of film which they just don't make any more.
Patton (Region A)
I am not really into War films, but this one transcends the genre and is a brilliant epic with a charismatic lead performance by George C. Scott and storyline penned by Oliver Stone. If i had to recommend to someone my favorite war film, this would be it. Source locally if you don't have a region A player.
Predator (Region A)
One of the best action films ever with a perfectly cast Arnold Schwarzenegger in the lead role. If you haven't seen it already, don't read anything about it, including the back cover synopsis, and dive straight into it. The main feature of this Blu-ray release is a big step up from the DVD release, although missing all of the great special features from the latter. Source locally if you don't have a region A player.
Prestige, The (Region A)
An immaculate period drama with many twists and turns and sights and sounds and smells. Source locally if you don't have a region A player.
Ratatouille (Region A)
One of Pixar's very best and aimed more at mature viewers. Brad Bird really is the soul of Pixar now. Highly recommended. Source locally if you don't have a region A player.
Rock, The (Region ABC)
Big, dumb, men's action film with military types shouting at one another. For that genre, its A Grade.
Shining, The (1980) (Region ABC)
One of the best horror films in that it works subconsciously, not through visual clichés. This is the longer, better, USA theatrical cut.
There Will Be Blood (Region ABC)
A modern day classic with a brilliant performance by Daniel Day Lewis. To me this film feels like Kubrick; in the shots, the music and the narrative structure. Feminists may have a field day with this one as I don't think there is a single female character, but that doesn't rob the film of its left-of-center brilliance.
Unbreakable (Region ABC)
Many don't like this M. Night Shyamalan tale at all. Maybe its the presence of Bruce Willis, maybe its the preposterous character played by Samuel L. Jackson. Regardless, this slightly silly, slightly mysterious story with its clean slick cinematography and lighting, is a definite guilty pleasure of mine.
Untouchables, The (1987) (Region ABC)
This is one of a few films which I can love or dislike on different viewings. It is a great period crime film centered around Al Capone, written by David Mamet and directed by Brian De Palma, with a great performance by Kevin Costner (!) and music by Ennio Morricone. The aspect that sometimes doesn't ring true to me is Sean Connery's performance. But many will disagree with me so its recommended viewing
Usual Suspects, The (Region A)
A puzzle within an enigma, within a great mystery thriller. Shame on Fox for not including all the DVD extras. Source locally if you don't have a region A player.
Weeds-Season 1 (Region ABC)
One of the best TV series made. Legally 'incorrect' without losing its morality. Real drama/comedy for real people, not network stereotypes.
Weeds-Season 2 (Region ABC)
The drama is stepped up and hits a climax in this second series. Don't bother with series 3 as it flounders with plot holes and doesn't live up to the first two.

HD-DVD

12 Monkeys
Yes I'm a sucker for time travel, add a romantic element and and some Terry Gilliam bent and it becomes great, despite the presence of Brad Pitt. The commentary and extras are a fantastic tale by themselves.
American Gangster
At its core this is a fairly standard crime thriller, but its execution is deft, direct and engaging. Another home run by Ridley Scott, perhaps the best director we have alive today.
Big Lebowski, The
Cohen Brothers with an unconventional comedy tale of a an old stoner's tale. So easy to watch over and over. Isn't some peoples cup of tea, but is a cult classic to many.
Carlitos Way
A Brian De Palma mob movie with lots of cinema homages used well. One of Al Pacinos more sympathetic roles.
Casablanca (1942)
An all time classic with a fantastic restoration and hidef transfer.
Casino
You know when it was first released i thought it didn't live up to Goodfellas. But after watching both I know prefer Casino. more Scorcese brilliance either way.
Children of Men
A bleak dystopian movie that somehow seems to have more uniqueness and humanity than the majority of Hollywood movies. Gritty but great camera work and production design.
Dawn of the Dead (2003)
Perhaps the best zombie film to date - and its a remake! Yes I love the originals and have seen all of the best, but this remake stays true and does one better. I can watch it over and over.
Eastern Promises
A tale of an ill deed amongst Russian Mafia in London. More dark brilliance from Cronenberg.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Imagine if Phillip K. Dick wrote a romantic comedy, this would probably be the result. Seriously, this Kaufman/Gondry collaboration is an exploration of reality, psychology and love with Jim Carry delivering in a serious role.
Fast and the Furious, The
A big dumb action film, that doesn't insult ones intelligence (too much) despite having Vin Diesel and lots of street racing scenes.
Forbidden Planet (1956)
The quintessential 1950's Sci-fi film. Still more than watchable today thanks to its serious approach to the subject matter and a narrative loosely based on Shakespeare's The Tempest. Great restoration work for this hidef release.
Heroes-Season 1
A great comic book styled sci-fi drama. Great concepts executed well with many story strands weaving through the series.
King Kong (2005)
An over-long remake that isn't as good as the 1933 original, but a spectacular adventure all the same. For me it was the first time ever that a computer generated character actually seemed real.
Lost in Translation
A special film where very little happens narrative-wise, but it captures and celebrates the feeling of travel and the connections one makes when alone in a foreign land. Subtle and beautiful.
Matrix Trilogy, The
Over hyped and over styled, but still a great visual action adventure. The first movie raises some good philosophical concepts and the second and third films spray the viewer with lots of entertaining stunts and visual effects.
Miami Vice (2006)
Michael Mann often portrays cold emotionally gagged characters. He has also taken to using video cameras at the very limit of their ability to pick up light in order to capture locations without stage lighting, which results in an image awash with video noise. The result of the technique and the characterizations is less than accessible and on the first viewing it didn't grab me. But with subsequent viewings I appreciate and revel in its deftly constructed brilliance.
Thing, The (1986)
A really good horror film from the 1980's, that despite lots of hokey makeup effects its still a chilling experience of isolation and paranoia.
Transformers (2007)
Teen-boy fantasy nonsense that is hard not to love if you don't take it seriously. Michael Bay takes his effects and cinematographic style to the next level. It shouldn't be, but its great.
Zodiac (2007)
Underrated perhaps for its dry 1970's style and unconventional structure, for me this was one of the stand-out films of 2007. Only after reading the Cinefex on the film did I realize it is full of effects shots, which only goes to show how seamless and convincing it is in reconstructing the era.

Carl's new and upcoming picks: