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The Best DVDs of 2010

The Best DVDs of 2010


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 9 DVDs which have attained our perfect 5 out of 5 score for the year of 2010. This is not a "Top 10" of 2010. This is simply a list of the best of the best of the DVDs that we've come across for 2010. (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


Breaking Bad-Complete Third Season (2010)
Sony Pictures TV
Cover Art 		One of the best, if not THE best, drama currently on TV. Roaring on from the sensational Season Two finale, the series is continually challenging in its content and presentation, but always remains grippingly entertaining. The production and performances are perfect with Bryan Cranston raw, honest and brilliant as the cancer stricken chemistry teacher who has turned to producing crystal meth to pay for his treatment - and leave his family a financial legacy. The standard DVD presentation is as good as it gets, and the extras are plentiful and hugely enjoyable.

Released 24-Nov-2010
Reviewed 20th January 2011 by GarryA


Toy Story 3 (Blu-ray) (2010)
Pixar
Cover Art 		Simply the best all-round Blu-ray release I have seen to date. A must have in your collection!

Released 17-Nov-2010
Reviewed 31st December 2010 by DanielB


Ponyo (Gake no ue no Ponyo): Special Edition (Studio Ghibli Collection) (2008)
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Cover Art 		This is the second release of Ponyo onto DVD in Region 4 by Madman. What does this two-disc Special Edition have to offer over the previous single-disc release?

Released 28-Jun-2010
Reviewed 28th September 2010 by John S


Ponyo (Gake no ue no Ponyo) (Studio Ghibli Collection) (Blu-ray) (2008)
Studio Ghibli
Cover Art 		Beautiful film made even more beautiful by this incredible Blu-ray production from Madman. I would give this release 6 out of 5 if I could. If you enjoy animation and have a Blu-ray player buy this disc immediately.

Released 28-Jun-2010
Reviewed 18th August 2010 by DanielB


Samson & Delilah (Blu-ray) (2009)
Footprint Films
Cover Art 		After a five-star DVD presentation, Warwick Thornton's celebrated, Samson & Delilah arrives on Blu-ray. Not only does this BD edition transend the quality of the DVD, it features the addition of an excellent audio commentary, which is missing from the DVD. Bravo, Madman - a superb presentation.

Released 17-Mar-2010
Reviewed 14th June 2010 by Steve C


Toy Story 2: Special Edition (Blu-ray) (1999)
Walt Disney Pictures
Cover Art 		Renting Toy Story 2 Special Edition on Blu-ray will not allow you to fully savour its immense and resplendent contents. You simply must purchase this exciting new release by Disney/Pixar to appreciate this animated masterpiece.

Released 17-May-2010
Reviewed 26th May 2010 by John S


Toy Story: Special Edition (Blu-ray) (1995)
Walt Disney Pictures
Cover Art 		With this version of Toy Story, I simply marvel at how Disney can continue to re-define itself in terms of its quality releases of its films onto the Blu-ray format. Toy Story comes to Blu-ray with an excellent, pristine video and audio transfer and a set of comprehensive extras. Do not bother renting Toy Story, you must purchase it to fully appreciate its contents.

Released 17-May-2010
Reviewed 25th May 2010 by John S


True Blood-Complete Second Season (Blu-ray) (2008)
HBO
Cover Art 		True Blood, season two. That should be all I need to tell you. The first season was a tour-de-force in exploring what would happen if the next group to engage in a struggle for the kind of rights some take for granted was almost, but not quite, indiscernible from that "some", and yet much more powerful in the bargain. The second season ups the ante in the same sense as a nuclear missile is an up in the ante from a stick of dynamite. The quality of the discs it is presented upon is such that, were the content not so genuinely adult and cerebral, it would be used to demonstrate giant television sets. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Released 17-May-2010
Reviewed 24th May 2010 by Dean M


Passion of the Christ, The: Director's Edition (Blu-ray) (2004)
Icon Entertainment
Cover Art 		Directed, co-written, and co-produced by Mel Gibson, The Passion of the Christ grossed over 600 million USD at the box office. It remains the highest grossing foreign language film to date and also remains in the Top 50 Box Office earners of all-time. Put simply, based on the well-known story from the Scriptures the film covers the arrest, trial, torture, execution, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Although this story has been told many times, in countless books, plays, musicals, and films, I have never seen it told in such a powerfully visceral, graphic and compelling way. Released now in High Definition as part of a Two-Disc Definitive Edition, the Blu-ray also includes a re-edited version of the film - The Passion Recut. But rather than merely recount this familiar story, in this review I have chosen to look at the controversial nature of the film, especially now in the light of Gibson's recent well-publicised outbursts.

Released 6-Apr-2010
Reviewed 1st April 2010 by Brandon