Out Today on DVD and Blu-ray 10/26

It has been a while since I’ve written a DVD column, but they were seemingly popular and readers asked for it back.  So here I am with the column, back in all of its glory.

This is actually a great week to be back.

The first and most important release today is Clone Wars Season 2 on DVD and Blu-ray.  This season stepped up the game from the already great Season 1 and delivered better animation, better stories and a return to form for Star Wars, bringing fans who’d lost interest because of their inability to enjoy the prequels back into the fold.  I’ve reviewed every episode of this show on this site and this season started great and ended even better.

Next we have the Back to the Future trilogy on Blu-ray.  This is a great set of movies and I really don’t need to tell you twice why you should own it.  The box set even includes footage of Eric Stoltz in the role of Marty McFly.  He was replaced by Michael J. Fox 5 weeks after they started filming.

Next we have the Alien Anthology on Blu-ray.  These are four movies that would benefit greatly from the Hi-Def treatment and you’d be surprised how well the third and fourth installments hold up.  In fact, I almost prefer them to the second installment.  Alien is still the perfect movie to watch for Halloween, it’s still incredibly scary and one of the best horror/drama films ever made.

Next is the hilarious Venture Bros. Season 4, Part 1.  If you’re not watching this show, there’s something wrong with you.  (Admittedly, I haven’t seen this season, but I’ll be able to catch up now that the DVD is out.)

A must-own for any collector: The Criterion Blu-ray release of Stanley Kubrick’s Paths of Glory.  This is one of Kubrick’s best.  It’s an emotional and thrilling story set in the trenches of France during World War I.  Kirk Douglas offers one of the best performances of his career and Criterion delivers high quality in all of their Blu-ray transfers.

Next is a must for any Silent film fan: The Complete works of Chaplin at Keystone studios.  This is a collection of 34 Chaplin classics.  Worth every penny.

This isn’t a definitive list of everything available, but only my picks.  If there’s anything you think I missed, be sure to comment below or on the forum!

We’ll see you next week with a whole new batch of releases!