Annnnnd we’re back. It’s been a long, long weekend for The Blu-ray Blog. Everyone was taking some time off, spending the days with family and just taking the opportunity to get in some rest and relaxation. I traveled back home to Ontario to celebrate my nephew’s tenth birthday! Many video-games were played. Many Blu-ray discs were watched. Many cupcakes were scarfed down. I think, between the sedentary celebrations and the cornucopia of food this weekend I probably put on a few pounds. Time to work them off by…writing this exciting Top 5 Blu-ray discs column? I think I’d probably burn more calories by playing more Tekken 6.
1. THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE MOTION PICTURE TRILOGY
This is, without question, the release of the week. But it sure isn’t for everyone. Aside from the ongoing arguments regarding the potentially flawed picture quality of the discs, The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy set only features the theatrical cuts of all three films. Now, that’s not a big problem for guys like me, who enjoy watching both these and the longer, truer-to-the-book extended cuts, but I understand that this is heresy to some. Rest assured, the extended editions will make their way to Blu in due time. But if you count yourself among the few fans who aren’t crying “double dip” and can’t wait for the longer cuts to hit the shops, you can grab your own copies of the films on Blu today.
Also available today from Warner: Ralph Bakshi‘s animated version of The Lord of the Rings.
2. BAD LIEUTENANT: PORT OF CALL NEW ORLEANS
Absolute, bat-shit crazy Werner Herzog adaptation of Abel Ferrara‘s bat-shit crazy, original cult film. This time around, featuring a mind-altering performance by Nicolas Cage that reminds us, for the first time in years, that the man is actually talented and can bust it up onscreen when he feels so inclined. I can’t speak to the quality of the Blu-ray disc itself but at this super-low Amazon price, I doubt you’ll go wrong by taking the risk and buying blind.
Read more: First Look bringing Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans to Blu-ray
3. THE NATURAL
Once upon a time, before the days of Sphere and Jimmy Hollywood, director Barry Levinson made films as great as The Natural. This is one I didn’t think we’d see on Blu-ray any time soon, as I assumed it would need a lot of t.l.c. to make it shine in 1080p. I’m not sure what magic elixir Sony used to bring it to life in high-def but man, this is a beautiful Blu-ray disc! Packed with tons of extras, an incredible transfer and a killer lossless audio track, The Natural is a…home run.
Sorry. I couldn’t resist….it really is that good!
Full review later in the week!
Another adaptation this week which sees a classic film being recreated into a second, more contemporary yet still awesome film. The Thomas Crown affair took the Steve McQueen/Faye Dunaway original and gave it a slicker, more action packed pace, along with some electric chemistry between stars Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo. Much like the Bad Lieutenant film, I haven’t given this one a look yet so I can’t attest to the quality of the audio and video. But priced at only $11.99 on Amazon, how can you possibly pass this one up?
5. COCOON
Ahhhh…Steve Guttenberg, aliens and old people. The ideal mix of ingredients to make cinema magic, right? Uhhhh… I was never a big fan of Cocoon growing up but it’s a really well done, classic 80s film from director Ron Howard, finally available on Blu-ray this week. For less than twenty bucks you get the film, an Opie commentary, a bunch of featurettes and trailers. Sounds pretty good for those of you who are fans of 80s movies, Ron Howard or magical grandparents.
HONOURABLE MENTION: Shaw Brothers Films on Blu-ray
DEAL ALERT: BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: THE COMPLETE SERIES
As it has been for a while now, the brand new boxed set edition of the BSG: Complete Series is priced well below the MSRP on the Canadian Amazon site. As well as being priced well below its US counterpart. If you’re at all interested in this Blu-ray set, updated with BSG: The Plan and a trimmer, more practical case, you should jump on this low price now before Amazon.ca jacks up their price.
Amazon.ca: $149.99 CDN
Amazon.com: $209.99 US
ALSO AVAILABLE ON BLU-RAY THIS WEEK
Clicking an image will take you to Amazon.com where you can learn more about and purchase the Blu-ray disc:
![The Protector [Blu-ray]](/wp_content/uploads/2010/04/51fftyhqstl_sl500_aa300__150x150.jpg "The Protector [Blu-ray]")
![Sharpe's Peril [Blu-ray]](/wp_content/uploads/2010/04/61sq7eyqdal_sl500_aa300__150x150.jpg "Sharpe's Peril [Blu-ray]")
![Sharpe's Challenge [Blu-ray]](/wp_content/uploads/2010/04/51o1iek7zal_sl500_aa300__150x150.jpg "Sharpe's Challenge [Blu-ray]")
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Wow! I’m so glad that Werner Herzog‘s bad-shit crazy Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans is coming to Blu-ray! I grudgingly gave up my press pass to my girlfriend’s parents when they were in town and missed it when it was in the theatres. Now, thanks to First Look Studios, I’ll get a second shot at enjoying it on April 6th! I can’t dig up any specs on the disc yet but Amazon has got the pre-order listed for only $18.49, which is low enough to make me bite, site-unseen. I’ll update the post with disc details when and if I get them.