Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman - Criterion
Pierce Conran - Contributing writer
Now, to be fair, I haven't received my copy yet (it's in the mail), but you have to love Criterion for putting out the ENTIRE Zatoichi collection on Blu-ray. I love chambara films and have seen many of the Zatoichi films, which rank up there with the Baby Cart and Sleepy Eyes of Death series. The Blind Swordsman will be a welcome companion during the cold winter months.
Ard Vijn - Contributing writer
What can you say about a boxset like Criterion's Zatoichi collection of all 25 (!) movies? It's the stuff of dreams, packaging and all!
The ABCs of Death: Limited Edition Hardcover Book - Drafthouse Films
Ard Vijn - Contributing Writer
Limited to 666 prints world-wide, this one tickled my funnybone like no other. The disc is hidden in a book, which is a real large hardcover ABC book. And while I would have balked at watching all 26 segments in one go, on Blu-ray you can skip or fast-forward the bad segments, and re-re-rewatch your favorite ones. Better yet: nearly every segment has a big making-of feature attached, so you can watch the behind-the-scenes stuff for literally hours. So yeah, totally loved this one!
The Big Parade - Warner Bros
Jim Tudor - Contributing writer
The Big Parade is finally available on disc!
Bruce Lee Legacy Collection - Shout Factory
J Hurtado
Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horrors - Masters of Cinema (Eureka)
Christopher O'Keeffe - Contributing writer
Pacific Rim 3D Limited Edition - Warner Bros.
Eric Ortiz Garcia - Contributing writer
The 4-disc Gipsy Danger Collectors Case is as amazing as the movie itself. Also, I was extremely happy when the Criterion Collection announced both Blue is the Warmest Color and Fantastic Mr. Fox, my most anticipated Blu-rays for 2014 so far.
Pierre Etaix - Criterion Collection
Dustin Chang - Contributing writer
Star Trek: The Next Generation Seasons 3-6 - Paramount Pictures
Joshua Chaplinsky - Contributing writer
I believe Season 3 was the first to be released in anamorphic widescreen, so there's that. But overall, this whole series has been a tremendous improvement. When you watch the feature on the HD upgrade process (on the Season 1 set), you almost can't believe this show was made in the 80s. TNG has NEVER looked this good before, even upon its original airing. The jump in quality makes these sets the standouts they are.
Treme: The Complete Third Season - HBO
Jason Gorber - Featured critic
Bonus to HBO for the Treme discs - it looked for a while like we wouldn't get them. Music commentary = best idea ever.
World Cinema Project: Volume One - Masters of Cinema (Eureka)
James Marsh - Asian Editor
What will be - for almost everyone - a blind purchase, this three-disc collection is a great introduction into the work of Martin Scorsese's World Cinema Project. Three incredibly different, yet almost entirely forgotten films from three countries never seriously associated with quality cinema, yet each one is in its own rights a bona fide classic. While Criterion, who hold the US rights to these films, has released a 6-film set, my worry is that its size and price tag may deter many potential buyers. This Masters of Cinema release is smaller, cheaper and more easily managable - and as a result should prove more appealing to adventurous cinephiles.