We review lots and lots of DVDs each year. Of the many many hundreds which we review, only a very small percentage attain a
perfect 5 out of 5 score overall. Below, for your viewing pleasure are the 22 DVDs which have attained our perfect 5 out of 5 score for the year of 2006.
This is not a "Top 10" of 2006. This is simply a
list of the best of the best of the DVDs that we've come across for 2006.
(The DVDs are listed in reverse release date order, not by the date of our review.)
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Empire Falls (2005)
Howco International 
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Funny, poignant, poetic, haunting and worth every cent – I can guarantee you that you will want to watch this one again. Grab your loved ones for a cold winter’s night in with a copy of this. You won’t be disappointed.
Released 9-Aug-2006
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David Gray-Live in Slow Motion (2006)
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A classy performance from Manchester-born singer/songwriter David Gray, recorded on his recent world tour to support his Life In Slow Motion album. Fans of the talented artist will love every minute of this. This is now my most played disc of all time.
Released 26-Apr-2006
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The Simpsons-Season 8 (Box Set) (1996)
Fox 
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Springfield's favourite family are back in one of their strongest series to date, and with them come quite an array of guest voices... David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Johnny Cash and John Waters, and the list goes on!
Released 26-Sep-2006
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Huff-Complete First Season (2004)
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The story of a psychiatrist slowly losing his mind. Doesn't sound like an award winning series, does it? But this show is richly textured, wonderfully detailed, simultaneously heart-warming and heartbreaking, very real in all of its surrealism, and truly amazing – I cannot recommend it highly enough. Fans of Nip/Tuck should definitely check this out.
Released 26-Apr-2006
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My Name Is Earl-Season 1 (2005)
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Karma. It's a funny thing and it makes for some great laughs. Earl's hilarious quest for karmic retribution has earned the DVD release that karma would dictate it deserves.
Released 27-Nov-2006
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Superman II: Collector's Edition (1980)
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The ultimate Collector's Edition of Superman II is here. A spectacular restoration of the original version, the Donner Cut that fans thought would never happen, and a swag of great extras. This is one set not to miss!
Released 6-Dec-2006
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Superman II: Two-Disc Special Edition (1980)
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The man of steel is back! This time three anarchic Kryptonian super-villains are out to take over the world and only one man can stop them. Finally, a real special edition for this action classic.
Released 5-Dec-2006
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Superman-The Movie: Four-Disc Collector's Edition (1978)
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Superman returns to DVD with a super-sized 4 disc set that brings together the theatrical and extended versions of this action classic. It also comes with a super-sized extras package that includes the original 1951 Superman and the Mole Men and a host of classic Superman cartoons from the 1940s. Superman fans and classic film afficianados, get your wallets ready!
Released 5-Dec-2006
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Superman-The Movie: Two-Disc Special Edition (1978)
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The Man of Steel is back on DVD shelves everywhere! This 2 disc set presents a beautifully restored version of the original theatrical cut.
Released 5-Dec-2006
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Planet Earth-Episodes 1-5 (2006)
BBC 
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Planet Earth is a must-have on DVD. A flawlessly filmed and researched nature programme the DVD includes the first 5 episodes of the 11 part series. It is presented in demonstration quality and would be a pinnacle of home theatre presentation were it not for the fact that the image quality of the standard definition DVD can't compete with the High Definition broadcast of the program on TV earlier this year. Even if you are only a casual nature film lover this is still a worthy purchase. For anyone else - you should have bought it already!
Released 17-Aug-2006
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Stargate SG1-Season 9 (Complete) (2005)
MGM
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Those who thought this show would die with Season 8 are strongly encouraged to seek out a copy of this. While certainly not groundbreaking TV, it is true first class entertainment, with the kind of production values that makes burning lamp time on your projector well worth the money. Fantastic transfer, and an excellent set worth buying.
Released 15-Aug-2006
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V for Vendetta (2005)
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Is it possible in this post 9/11 age, where we're all conditioned to live in fear, that a film could be so powerful, intelligent and moving that it will challenge the accepted Bush-view of the world, and within two hours have audiences standing on their feet cheering acts of terrorism? Part political thriller, adventure, action-film and social commentary, "V for Vendetta" is a multi-textured, rousing and visually sumptuous film combining political allegory, bloody action and some of 2006's most stunning cinematic moments into a solid and thoroughly entertaining film that will be remembered long after all of this year's other blockbusters are forgotten.
Released 7-Aug-2006
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The Bicycle Thief (Ladri Di Biciclette) (1948)
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The Bicycle Thief is a genuine classic, not just because of its eminent place in cinema history as a cornerstone of the neo-realist movement, but also due to its honest, engrossing and often heartbreaking drama. It is the simple story of a man and his son on a journey to reclaim a bicycle essential to the livelihood of their family. Despite showing its age (it was made in 1948) the transfer holds up well and there is at least one indispensable extra. If you only buy one classic movie per year make this year's movie The Bicycle Thief.
Released 6-Jun-2006
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Tomorrow Never Dies: Ultimate Edition (1997)
MGM 
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Arguably Brosnan's best run at the Bond role, the chemistry in this film is right on the money. Given the number of times they've tried to get this right on DVD, read on to see if they got this transfer right...
Released 1-Nov-2006
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Hustle & Flow (2005)
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Produced by John Singleton with the help of MTV, and written and directed by Craig Brewer, Hustle and Flow is a critically acclaimed film that is definitely not your typical rags-to-riches showbiz story. Rather, Hustle and Flow is a quietly powerful film. Indeed, it's an expertly made, sensitive, low-key drama about hopes, dreams and regret that also manages to show us the value of human life, no matter how degrading the circumstances. It is no surprise that this film won the Sundance Film Festival's Audience Choice Award as Best Film. It's also no surprise that the film's star, the wonderful Terrence Howard, was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar.
Released 6-Jul-2006
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Licence to Kill: Ultimate Edition (1989)
MGM 
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Perhaps the darkest Bond film, and the most realistically violent, we finally get the fully uncut version here in all its gory glory. A Bond movie with heart, this new transfer puts to shame any other medium you may have seen this in.
Released 1-Nov-2006
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For Your Eyes Only: Ultimate Edition (1981)
MGM 
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The finest of the Moore-era Bonds, this one still holds up 25 years later. A more serious action film, this discards the more tongue-in-cheek Bonds of the early Moore era in favour of strong plotting and realistic action.
Released 1-Nov-2006
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Over There-Season 1 (2005)
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This rates up there with Deadwood as one of the best new series of 2005. An utterly brilliant war drama set in the current occupation in Iraq, this is highly recommended for fans of Tour Of Duty or just good storytelling in general. An outstanding DVD package makes this a must have.
Released 31-May-2006
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Love My Way-Complete Series 1 (2004)
Southern Star
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The recent chatter in the media lamenting the death of Australian drama has been a little premature if this outstanding series is any indication. To put it quite simply Love My Way is one of the finest dramas ever produced in this country. Buy it now if you didn't manage to catch it when it was on Fox8.
Released 2-Feb-2006
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Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
Warner Bros 
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"Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" is the latest Harry Potter film to be released on DVD. With another new director at the helm, "Goblet of Fire" is the darkest and most sophisticated film of the series so far. However, "Goblet of Fire" is also a very enjoyable film that reminds us that facing a fire-breathing dragon is nothing compared to the terrors of asking a girl out.
Released 28-Mar-2006
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The Fly: Special Edition (1986)
Fox 
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David Cronenberg’s most mainstream film is not only a brilliantly crafted film but now receives a comprehensive presentation on DVD. It is a very impressive package for fans of the film and DVD enthusiasts.
Released 6-Feb-2006
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Bounce (2000)
Miramax 
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An enthralling story of a relationship that is quite wrong, or very right. Reference quality video, excellent audio.
Released 3-Aug-2006
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