For no particular reason at all, here's a list of the top ten movies I feel need to either be released on DVD or need a beefed up version in place of the version(s) available now:
1.
The Magnificent Ambersons directed by Orson Welles. I've never seen this as they never seem to show it on TV and the one time I was able to find a copy on VHS to rent the tape was messed up. This was Welles's second movie following
Citizen Kane and it's supposed to be pretty awesome.
2.
The Double Life of Veronique directed by Krzysztof Kieslowski. More than any other filmmaker (outside of and perhaps more than both Tarantino and Scorsese) Kieslowski's film have had the most impact on my thought process as far as how a movie should even be conceived. Kieslowski's later material magnificently combined the real with the surreal but did so without hitting you over the head with either. I believe there are some legal issues holding up the release of
Veronique on DVD but if they ever work it out, I'd like to see the full Criterion treatment for at least one of Kieslowski's movies. Why not this one?
3.
Taxi Driver directed by Martin Scorsese. Really there's not much more than can be said about this movie and I suppose the current DVD should be sufficient. However the 30th anniversary of
Taxi Driver's release is next year and if ever there was a time to put out a beefed up two-disc DVD extravaganza then 2006 is that time. If it only included a Scorsese commentary then that would be enough. Although I think a Scorsese/Paul Schrader commentary would be even better.
4.
The Searchers directed by John Ford. Most of the DVD's for John Ford's movies are pretty lackluster (Criterion's putting out
Young Mr. Lincoln next year, maybe this will be the start of a trend) which is a shame because almost every filmmaker, including both Welles and Akira Kurosawa point to John Ford as the filmmaker they most admired. It seems appropriate that I put
The Searchers right after
Taxi Driver as the influences the former had on the latter are evident.
5.
La Haine (Hate) directed by Matthieu Kassovitz. Given the
riots going on right now over in France, now would be the ideal time to finally put out a DVD for this excellent B&W urban drama.
6.
The entire series of both Animaniacs and Tiny Toon Adventures. I personally think
Animaniacs may be the greatest animated series ever, and yes I include
The Simpsons in that discussion if only because Groening and crew could get away with a lot more in primetime. But as far as a satire of not just the entertainment world but the world in general in the guise of an animated "kids" show you can't do better than
Animaniacs.
Tiny Toons was also underrated in its wit but played it a little bit closer to the vest. Still, both shows were outstanding and I would snatch up the DVD's in a heartbeat. Might even pay for 'em too.
7. While I'm at it I might as well add
Muppet Babies to the mix.
Muppet Babies was actually quite amazing too in its whole-hearted devotion to the true power of inspiration and imagination. The show was able to teach valuable moral lessons but without ever hitting kids over the head with whatever each episode's theme was. What was also remarkable is how much the show transcended its live action inspiration as well.
8 & 9.
Husbands and Love Streams both directed by John Cassavetes. I'm a bit of a Cassavetes nut as he too has a very specific influence on the way I view most movies. I've seen
Husbands and like pretty much all of Cassavetes' movies it does not go down easily. I've never seen
Love Streams at all and I don't even know if it's even on VHS. I have to admit I was a bit disappointed with Criterion's Cassavetes boxed set that came out recently if only because it should have contained
Husbands instead of the decent
Killing of a Chinese Bookie but also because of the lack of participation of the world's foremost authority on all things Cassavetes, Ray Carney.
10.
The Stanley Kubrick filmography. Outside of the Criterionized
Spartacus and the recent two-disc re-issue of
Dr. Strangelove all of the other DVDs for Kubrick's films leave a whole lot to be desired. At the very least you'd think there'd be at least some spectacular version of
2001 out there but there isn't. I wouldn't even say that all of his films are even deserving of killer DVDs but if there Special Editions of
2001,
A Clockwork Orange and
Full Metal Jacket and I'd be happy. Throw in another one
Eyes Wide Shut and I'd be more happy. I know, I know, most people hated
EWS but I actually think it's gotten better with age.
Well that's all I could think of for now. I suppose this was inspired by the fact that this week will see the release of a couple of DVD's I've been anticipating for a long time,
Lady Sings the Blues and, of course,
Duck Tales Season 1.
