A movie review website not honoring a cartoon about movie reviews would be pretty much sacrilidge. Jon Lovitz is Jay Sherman in the classic but unpopular animated show, The Critic. With some of the best writing ever done for television since the middle seasons of The Simpsons, The Critic had no apologies for all the A-List celebrities they insulted and dragged through the mud. Also on the DVD is a plethora of commentaries, and many of The Critic episodes that were made specifically for the internet. "We're on the internet now. I can say...Bitch!"
4) CLERKS X
Celebrating it's 10th Anniversery, Kevin Smith released in it's all money grubbing glory, Clerks-X. Which contained more extras you could shake a stick at. Not only does it have the original commentary for the first Clerks DVD, but brand new commentary for the brand new cut of Clerks, in which many scenes were added to the film, as well as an alternate ending. The documentary contained within is worth the price alone. It covers everything Kevin Smith from the time he was in high school, to meeting Jay Mewes, to making and producing, and finally selling Clerks. Kevin Smith may be emptying my wallet at an alarming rate, but at least it's quality shit.
3) THE MARX BROTHERS: SILVER SCREEN COLLECTION
Holy cow. Thank God for DVD's. They allow the classics of the past to be restored and viewed for those who've never had a chance before. Contained in this set are 6 discs. The Cocoanuts, Animal Crackers, Duck Soup, Horse Feathers, and Monkey Business. As well as a sixth disc chock full of interviews and documentaries. But not only that, it comes with a book giving one all the inside information you could ever need on the classic Marx Brothers.
2) THE OFFICE: THE SPECIAL
This disc wraps up all the loose ends from the end of Season 2. And thank goodness for it because The Office truly is one of the greatest comedies to ever hit TV. This disc not only has the 2 hour special wrapping every story of every character, but commentaries, a documentary, and the entire full length laugh inducing music video of David Brendt's 'If You Don't Know Me By Now'. For that video alone you should be shaking out your wallets at your local DVD retailer right now.
Seriously, who didn't think I wasn't going to put this DVD at #1? Anyone? C'mon. Despite my almost morbid dedication to this movie trilogy, Peter Jackson never fails to make these 4 disc sets anything short of incredible. Return of the King has 4 commentary tracks by the cast, crew, director and writers, and post production unit. Ontop of 50 minutes of footage edited back into the movie with new music written and conducted by Howard Shore. Also, 2 discs of behind the scenes documentaries covering everything from the writing process, shooting the movie, editing the movie, the sound, the music, and the CGI.
But even more special than all that are the 2 short films including on the discs. Both directed by a very, very, very, very talented young New Zealand man. Cameron Duncan. Who made both, EXTRAORDINARY films while bouting with cancer in his bones and lungs. Unfortunatly, he died in November 2003. His films live on in this disc set. And even at 16 years old, he achieved more in film and art than many other do their entire lives.
A great set, full of emotion and wonder. even without my fanaticism with Lord of the Rings, this still is easily, the best DVD of the year.