1. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings - Director's Extended Cut
We never like to fall in line with the majority, but in this case there is simply no denying that this four-disc box set simply represents the ultimate achievement in DVD production so far. Sparing no expense, a full new version of the film, running an additional thirty minutes, was created exclusively for this release, enhancing an experience that was already remarkably rich in detail and background. Add to this four outstanding audio commentaries and two whole discs full of exemplary supplements, and we can truly say that a new standard has been set by which future special edition releases will be judged for some time to come.

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2. Universal Classic Monster Collection
The eight titles in this collection, most of which are bona fide film classics by any standard, appeared on DVD for Region 1 a few years ago, but have gone out of print and have now been placed on moratorium without any word of a re-release. Last fall, these discs premiered on DVD for Region 2 and 4, available individually or in this nicely packaged eight-disc box set. Each film is accompanied by a thorough documentary and film historian's commentary track as well as other extras.

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3. Back to the Future - Trilogy Box Set
First announced for DVD release in late 1998, but held up year after year by various continuing delays, last year finally saw the release of this popular and brilliantly executed time-travel comedy and its two sequels. It first appeared for Region 2 and 4 in the late summer, with the Region 1 and UK releases following just this christmas, with some minor differences among the different releases. We tend to favor the Region 2/4 version, which doesn't have quite as many featurettes or audio commentaries, but still boasts sufficient supplements as well as a good DTS audio mix for all three films.

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4. The Complete Monterey Pop Festival - Criterion Collection
Finally besting their own most celebrated three-disc box set, our friends of the Criterion Collection finally brought us a gorgeously packaged, feature-laden collector's box documenting the historic 1967 music festival. With a gorgeously restored transfer, room-filling new surround sound (in Dolby Digital and DTS), over two hours of outtake performances and innumerable supplements, this incredible release shoots straight to the top of Criterion's amazing line-up.

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5. Beauty and the Beast - Platinum Edition
Having launched their 'Platinum Collection' line last year with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Disney continues their once-every-ten-years appearance of selected masterpieces with this more recent animated classic. Supplements aren't quite as extensive as on Snow White, but are still well-produced and hugely varied, even including three separate versions of the film itself.

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6. The Royal Tenenbaums - Criterion Collection
The promise director Wes Anderson showed in the impressive Rushmore is made good in his third feature film, combining an irresistible sense of style with an unbeatable ensemble cast playing characters worth caring about in a family drama that's funny, sharp, quick-witted and genuinely moving. The two-disc DVD release was produced under the flag of the Criterion Collection, ensuring impeccably produced and aptly chosen supplements for this memorably film.

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7. Singin' in the Rain - 50th Anniversary Edition
Warner pulled out the stops for this all-time favorite musical's half-century birthday, creating a digitally enhanced new transfer that makes the brilliant Technicolor print look like it was made last year, and lavishing the two-disc set with numerous supplements. These may be a little self-congratulatory in tone at times, but the feature and audio commentary alone make this one of last year's essential purchases.

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8. Monsters, Inc.
The Pixar crew rolls out its fourth feature-length digitally animated picture and it's another winner, bolstered by colorful and imaginative design, a strong central premise and gorgeously detailed textures. The two-disc set carries as many supplements as one would expect from the team that previously brought us The Ultimate Toy Box.

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9. Pulp Fiction - Collector's Edition
Jackie Brown - Collector's Edition
Previously available on DVD only as an undistinguished bare-bones release with a pale, non-anamorphic transfer, Miramax finally brought us the long-awaited double-disc collector's edition this masterpiece so clearly deserves. We decided to cheat and add the equally impressive new two-disc release of Jackie Brown as an ex aequo ninth place inclusion, as we found it impossible to choose between these two brilliant pictures given the royal treatment.

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10. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan - Director's Edition
Final entry in out top 10 simply had to be the second entry in the increasingly beleaguered Star Trek franchise, which is really the only decent film to have appeared in the long-running series. Previously released as a bonestock disc, this new double-disc set includes a few subtle, well-chosen changes to the film's editing and treats it to a colofrul, beautifully restored new transfer with a powerful 5.1 sound mix. The extras are - thankfully - almost entirely free of the annoing promotional fluff that tends to typify the franchise.

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