Show The ne tie Best Bes s of 0 2004 Jen Chaney Chancy f The Washington Post Watching sounds sound s like a ludicrously easy job T To o I most people it probably doesn't does does- nt sound like a job at all But Bu t trust me after several hours o of t fawning and dull- dull dirt as-dirt directors director's commentary it can get excruciating That makes the great grea t the ones with bountiful ful bonus features that never seem bore that much greater Heres Here's my list list- listin in no particular lar order of the best o of f 2004 These are the ones I most mos t enjoyed watching and would woul d view even if it weren't part part- of o omy f my so-called so job Freaks and Its It's too bad this wise and witty look at high school in the was prematurely canceled canceled canceled can can- by NBC in 2000 Fortunately a clever and surprisingly surprisingly surprisingly sur sur- thorough DVD set ensures that it may be gone but it wont won't be forgotten The Star Wars Trilogy I know its it's lame that George Lucas didn't include the original original original nal versions of A New Hope Empire and Jedi in this much-anticipated much box set I know and yet I find it hard to care after watching the outstanding 1 minute 50 of making-of documentary Empire of Dreams The Story of the Star Wars rr 1 u I L y Volumes 1 and 2 Is it possible this is the most over-hyped over DVD in history history his his- history tory Yes Is it also possible that its it's one of the best TV TV- show box sets ever Yes again While Im I'm asking questions questions ques ques- questions are these pretzels still making me thirsty The Lord of the Rings The Return of the King Special Extended Edition You dont don't have to tabe be n nerd nerd erd to fall in loV 10 e 1 with this completely engrossing four- four disc disc box ox set Sure it helps but it snot a requirement The The Battle of Algiers Criterion Collection With so many documentaries about the war in Iraq released in 2004 its it's this Gillo film Pontecorvo's 1966 tary-style tary look at the struggle for Algerian independence independence- that teaches the most about terrorism The many extras on this three-disc three set only enhance the educational and sobering experience Capturing the Released in January 2004 this tragic documentary documentary documentary doc doc- about a Long Island family's collapse is all the themore themore more heartbreaking because of the DVD's bonus material which includes additional home movie footage of the as well as documentaries documentaries documentaries docu docu- about the criminal case involving father Arnold and son Jesse School of Rock The surprisingly surprisingly surprisingly sur sur- sur- sur entertaining commentary commentary commentary com com- track by star Jack Black and director Richard Linklater is only the beginning beginning beginning begin begin- ning of this DVD's many charms Its It's too bad the special special special cial edition of Linklater's Dazed and Confused released in November with minimal lame extras isn't extras isn't nearly as as this Live Aid True story I sat down to review this DVD on a Sunday morning thinking thinking think think- ing I could get through it in a couple of hours max By th the time I was done my eardrums were shot and the sun had gone down Im I'm bummed that some bands Led Zeppelin and many songs are omitted from the DVD of this historic concert But what's included Queen Duran Duran Mick Jagger and Tina Turner sounds so fantastic this child of the of-the the cant can't help but feel a aThe whole t. 4 i d The Alfred Hitchcock Signature Collection You cant can't go wrong with Hitchcock especially not with the special edition of Strangers on a Train one of the nine included in this set which contains two versions of the classic and a number of illuminating bonus features The Simpsons The Complete Fourth Season and The Simpsons The Complete Fifth Season Simpsons box sets I cant can't choose between these two collections of the two best seasons in Simpsons history so Im I'm not going to You should own them both Feel free to order now by calling calling call call- ing Mr Plow Plow that name again is Mr Plow What's Coming to DVD in 2005 Lots of box sets and special editions await in the new year Here are some of the more noteworthy releases heading to DVD in the coming coming com com- ing months Some Kind of Monster Jan 25 Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow Jan 25 The wro Wire Tie r t t c a u Season Jan 25 The Grudge Feb 1 Ray Feb 1 Chariots of Fire Special Edition Feb 1 The Complete Viewer Collection Feb 1 Miami Vice Season One Feb 8 Murphy Brown The Complete First Season Feb 8 Night Court The Complete First Season Feb 8 The Greatest American Hero Season One Feb 8 Donnie Darko The Directors Director's Cut Feb 15 I Heart Feb 22 Bambi Platinum Edition March 1 The Brady Bunch The Complete First Season March 1 The Movie March 1 Bringing g Up Baby Special Edition March Marchl and Meet th the e April 19 |