DVD Pick of the Week: Batman Begins

This is the only place to go each week to see what the number one new release is. Well, you can at least see what I am most interested in getting each week, plus some of the other releases.

This weeks pick is also one of the best movies to have been released this year. The DVD you must see is Batman Begins. This is, hands down, the best filmed version of the legendary superhero. Christopher Nolan had already proven himself with the incredible Memento and the excellent Insomnia. Now it was time for him to step up to another level and see if could craft a fine superhero flick. First thing he did was get a good comic book adaptation writer in David Goyer (Blade). Then he got a first rate cast including Christian Bale, Morgan Freeman, Liam Neeson, Ken Watanabe, Gary Oldman, Cillian Murphy, and Katie Holmes. Hard to argue with names like that.

Together they brought the finest version of the Bat ever realized. Action, drama, strong characters, it is just fantastic. Even if you are not a fan of superheroes, you will like this.

It is being released in two versions, a single disk and a two disk special edition. I cannot wait for the two disk version.

Also coming out this week:

• The Adventures of Superman: The Complete First Season. The first season of the 1950's George Reeves era.
• Batman: The Complete 1943 Movie Serial Collection. Original shown as shorts in theaters, here is the entire 1943 series in one volume.
• Batman: The Motion Picture Anthology 1989-1997. Here is the collection of the four Bats films in new two disk editions. Batman, Batman Returns, Batman Forever, Batman & Robin. They are also available separately.
• Batman vs Dracula. An animated film based on the recent The Batman series.
• The Big Lebowski: Collector's Edition. Who doesn't like the Dude?
• Bruce Lee Ultimate Collection. In newly remastered editions, here are The Big Boss, Fist of Fury, Return of the Dragon, Game of Death, Game of Death II.
• Elektra: Unrated Director's Cut. Not sure what is different here, or if it makes it a better movie, but I am interested.
• Land of the Dead. George Romero's latest zombie effort. I liked it, not sure where it will end up in the pantheon of Romero zombies, time will tell.
• He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Season One, Vol 1. I have the power! Who else loved this half hour toy commercial?
• Mad Hot Ballroom. This is a wonderful documentary about inner city kids in a ballroom dancing competition. The positive effect is great.
• Samurai 7: Vol. 2. Haven't watched the first volume yet, but I like the concept.
• Saw: Uncut Edition. This is actually shorter than the theatrical release by a touch. It tightens up the editing and adds some gore back, or so I'm told.

That's it for this week.