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 12 DVDs which have attained our perfect 5 out of 5 score for the year of 2007.
This is not a "Top 10" of 2007. This is simply a
list of the best of the best of the DVDs that we've come across for 2007.
(The DVDs are listed in reverse release date order, not by the date of our review.)
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Royal Space Force: Wings of Honneamise (Ôritsu uchűgun Oneamisu no tsubasa) (1987)
Bandai Visual 
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20 years after its original Japanese release, which kick started both Gainax and Bandai Visual, this classic tale about a society swept up in a cold war space race finally makes its way to a DVD with reference quality video.
Released 8-Nov-2007
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Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 30th Anniversary Ultimate Ed (Blu-ray) (1977)
Columbia Pictures 
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As with George Lucas, Steven Spielberg was a very slow and cautious adopter of the DVD format. But fortunately we have not had to wait too long for Spielberg to make his high definition debut, as his classic film, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, has arrived. An outstanding critical and commercial success, Close Encounters has been crafted with inspiring awe and meticulous attention to detail. This two-disc, 30th Anniversary Ultimate Edition on Blu-ray now offers us no less than three versions of the film, all remastered and presented in high definition, including a Director's Cut that finally represents Spielberg's original vision.
Released 4-Dec-2007
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Transformers: Special Edition (2007)
Dreamworks 
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Transformers is much better than anyone could have expected. The film is so action-packed, it's almost like a few action films rolled into one. Forget about the actors being upstaged by SFX - here the stars of the movie are SFX! Transformers is not a film for Academy voters or serious, art-house critics, but thanks to Industrial Light & Magic creating some of the best, and most seamless, CGI work I have ever seen, the Transformers brings the toys and TV characters from the 1980s you remember, vividly to life, as huge, detailed, and living characters. Transformers is the latest Michael Bay megaplex, popcorn movie, so if you're interested in heavy drama, or plot or character development, then move on. But if you like your Hollywood summer blockbusters large and loud, and with a fair dose of humour and fun, be sure to pick up (or rent) this year's fastest selling DVD.
Released 31-Oct-2007
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UFO-The Complete Shado File: Incidents 1-26 (1970)
Granada 
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This is by far the very best release worldwide of this wonderful, but sadly forgotten, British sci-fi series from 1969-1970. Older readers might remember the catchy music, the green aliens, the Interceptors and of course the women in their 'unusual' costumes! The stories were always unusual, with much more depth to them than met the eye, and sometimes encompassed topics that were a little 'adult' in nature. This latest release features all 26 episodes wonderfully digitally restored on 8 disks, packaged with an incredibly comprehensive set of extras including no less than 6 audio commentary tracks, documentaries, hundreds of photos, and even the rare feature length 'movie', Invasion:UFO. Any fans of the genre should take a look at this, while any fans of the actual series should already have bought this set!
Released 1-Sep-2007
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My Name Is Earl-Season 2 (2005)
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Camden County's favourite reformed crook returns for more karmic redemption. With this sophomore season, My Name is Earl remains some of the funniest TV out of the Unites States for years.
Released 9-Oct-2007
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Departed, The (Blu-ray) (2006)
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The Departed has been an outstanding critical and commercial success. For example, earlier this year, the film gained recognition when it won Best Film at the Oscars, and notably, Martin Scorsese won his first Oscar for Directing, after six previous nominations. It has become Scorsese's biggest box office hit of his long career, and has since become one of the highest selling, high-definition discs on either format. The Departed is an examination of conscience and guilt. The story for The Departed bristles with a complex web of characters, navigating a dark, moral labyrinth. As with Goodfellas and Casino, The Departed is another searing morality tale from Scorsese, this time focussing on scurrying rats aboard sinking ships.
Released 16-May-2007
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Secret Show, The-The U.Z.Z Files-Volume 2 (2006)
BBC 
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I know, I know...5 stars seems like a lot for a kids DVD but this one is phenomenal. Great show, great disc! Get it!
Released 5-Sep-2007
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Casino Royale (Blu-ray) (2006)
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"Casino Royale" re-invented James Bond for the 21st Century, and while this excellent film is available on DVD, it is also available on a superior, 50 GB Blu-ray disc, with uncompressed 48 kHz/24-bit surround audio, and a high definition transfer, presented in 1080p, encoded using AVC MPEG-4 compression. Both the film and this Blu-ray disc are first rate.
Released 11-Apr-2007
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Extras-Complete Second Series (2007)
BBC 
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Hapless film and TV extra Andy Millman makes the transition to hapless film and TV actor in this second series of Extras. Funnier than the first season, packed with a solid set of extras (of the special features variety!) and given a first-rate transfer. This is not one to miss.
Released 2-May-2007
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Black Hawk Down (Blu-ray) (2001)
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An absorbing and intense film, Black Hawk Down, was originally released on DVD back in 2002. The following year it was re-released on DVD, as a magnificent 3-disc Collector's Edition. Now, four years later, it appears again, but this time as an excellent Blu-ray BD-50 disc, which showcases the possibilities of High-Definition.
Released 3-May-2007
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Doctor Who-The Keeper of Traken (1981)
BBC 
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An old foe returns to haunt the Doctor and create chaos on the peaceful planet of Traken. This tragedy of Shakespearean proportions is Doctor Who at its best.
Released 6-Mar-2007
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Planet Earth-Episodes 6-11 (2006)
BBC 
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Several months after the first part aired, Planet Earth has returned to our TV screens and DVD shelves. Equally as good as the first installment, this is nature in all its glory and cruelty. This is an essential purchase for natural history lovers and those wanting to show off their new widescreen TV. Fantastic sound and visuals and enjoyable extras seal the deal. Buy it now - or wait for the High Definition release.
Released 7-Feb-2007
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