PLEASE NOTE: Michael D's is currently in READ ONLY MODE. Anything submitted will simply not be written to the database.
Lots of stuff is still broken, but at least reviews can now be looked up and read.
The Best DVDs of 2008

The Best DVDs of 2008


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 10 DVDs which have attained our perfect 5 out of 5 score for the year of 2008. This is not a "Top 10" of 2008. This is simply a list of the best of the best of the DVDs that we've come across for 2008. (The DVDs are listed in reverse release date order, not by the date of our review.)

2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010


Casino (Blu-ray) (1995)
Universal
Cover Art 		Fourteen years after its initial release, one of my favourite Scorsese films, Casino, has arrived in high definition. A searing morality play about greed, excess, betrayal, and self-destruction, both the film, and the Blu-ray are first rate. Although Casino never won the same critical acclaim and audience as Goodfellas, it remains a sobering and cold examination of organised crime as a sordid business, set amongst the glittering, lavish and decadent, pre-theme-park Las Vegas of the 1970s.

Released 4-Nov-2008
Reviewed 16th March 2009 by Brandon


Oz-ploitation-Volume 1 (1970)
?
Cover Art 		A hot summer is upon us, making it the perfect time to crack a Fosters and kick back, with flyswatter in hand, and enjoy a collection of Ozploitation classics in the air-conditioned comfort of our own homes. This collection features 7 great Australian movies from the day the label "Australian movie" didn't make folks shudder - back when they were actually fun to watch.

Released 3-Nov-2008
Reviewed 12th February 2009 by AdamG


Transformers: Special Edition (Blu-ray) (2007)
Dreamworks
Cover Art 		Transformers was the highest profile BD casualty of the HD-Format War. Dreamworks and Paramount studios' failed exclusive arrangement with the now defunct HD-DVD format meant that previously, consumers were denied Transformers on Blu-ray. At the time this caused a lot of anger among Blu-ray owners, and even the film's Director Michael Bay shocked everyone by announcing that if Transformers were not released as a BD, that there would be no sequel. He later toned down his comments, and thankfully the format war ended with Blu-ray the victor. Now a year after it was originally released on DVD, the sheer mindless fun and excitement of Transformers is finally available on Blu-ray. Designed to provide a rollercoaster ride of action and thrills, Transformers is one of the most fun and visceral movies in recent years - low on exposition, but high on action and entertainment. Is it worth the wait? With the excellent high definition transfer and a bonus disc of extras with a number of hidden 'easter eggs', Autobots roll out and upgrade your DVDs!

Released 9-Oct-2008
Reviewed 13th October 2008 by Brandon


Iron Man: Ultimate Edition (Blu-ray) (2008)
Marvel
Cover Art 		Iron Man is one of this year's cinema blockbusters and has been eagerly anticipated on both the standard (DVD) and high definition (Blu-ray) formats. Based on the successful Marvel Comic, Iron Man has been an outstanding critical and commercial success, and happily joins the likes of Superman, X-Men, Batman Begins, and The Dark Knight as being one of the greatest film adaptations of a super-hero comic book. The outstanding high definition transfer of Iron Man and the bonus disc of extras make it a worthy addition to your collection.

Released 8-Oct-2008
Reviewed 9th October 2008 by Brandon


Quest for Fire (Guerre du feu, La) (1981)
Roissy Films
Cover Art 		Jean-Jacques Annaud's harsh, realistic movie about cavemen fighting and fornicating their way to finding fire is every bit the masterpiece today as it was when it was released in 1981. The movie has finally found its way onto DVD in Region 4 and it was well worth the wait for this excellent disc.

Released 2-Jun-2008
Reviewed 9th August 2008 by AdamG


Zodiac: Director's Cut (Blu-ray) (2007)
Paramount
Cover Art 		David Fincher, the director of the very atmospheric Se7en and Fight Club has now provided us with one of the best films of 2007. With Zodiac, Fincher never lets his signature filmmaking wizardry overwhelm what amounts to one of the most thoughtfully plotted and detailed crime movies ever made. Zodiac provides us with a compelling story about terror and death, and an intimate look at those who find their lives changed by both. But like Moby Dick, this absorbing story is not so much about the hunt, as it is about providing a searching exploration of the main character’s decent into unhealthy obsession.

Released 2-Jul-2008
Reviewed 7th August 2008 by Brandon


Rambo: Reloaded Edition (Blu-ray) (2008)
Nu Image
Cover Art 		Rambo, contrary to all expectations, is actually a very good film, even an example of the way action films should be made. The disc we have been presented with here in Region B is also of excellent quality, but the 7.1-channel soundtrack somehow got lost on its way from America.

Released 7-Jul-2008
Reviewed 14th July 2008 by Dean M


Doctor Who-The Complete Davros Collection (1989)
BBC
Cover Art 		A mighty battle of wits... followed by 4 more mighty Dr. Who battles of wits. Fans are in for a treat with this box set, but it will be a tough purchasing decision if you are already a Dr. Who Collector!

Released 6-Feb-2008
Reviewed 9th April 2008 by AdamG


Doctor Who-Complete Davros Collection, The-Extras (2007)
BBC
Cover Art 		Topping off a great Dr. Who box set, two worthy discs of extras.

Released 6-Feb-2008
Reviewed 8th April 2008 by AdamG


Hairspray: Shake & Shimmy Edition (Blu-ray) (2007)
New Line Cinema
Cover Art 		The ebullient musical Hairspray (2007) is New Line's first high definition release. Boasting both an excellent 1080p transfer and dts HD Master Audio 7.1, Hairspray has often been described as one of the best feel-good movies of recent years. Hairspray is also undoubtedly one of the brightest and bounciest movie musicals of all time. Despite being quite dubious when I first saw this film, I found Hairspray to be a very pleasant surprise. It's a brightly-coloured, toe-tapping, and thoroughly entertaining movie, with a great message as well.

Released 11-Jan-2008
Reviewed 17th March 2008 by Brandon