With the year practically over, I wanted to see what others thought were the most important/best Blu-ray releases of the year? I'll share my thoughts, but would really like to hear from others.
1. Graveyards of Honor (Arrow Video)
Two of the most gut punching gangster films ever made in one package. The films are presented in the best quality they have ever looked in a solid limited edition packaging and thorough booklet. These are difficult films to watch due to the content, but essential to any gangster film fans. Easily tops the list for myself.
2. The Irishman (Criterion Collection)
Criterion nails this release in more ways than one, and provides a transfer that provides a more film like experience than the Netflix stream. More than likely Scorsese's final gangster film, that bring his career full circle. A very well made package.
3. Hiroshima (Arrow Academy)
A film that escaped the attention of many film fans is finally released by Arrow in another solid package.
This was a brutal and hard watch. Hundreds of bodies, the living have now become the living dead, and the assortment of maladies is never ending. I never imagined a film going to the point where we see a woman covered in burns giving birth. The film holds no punches to the impacts the bomb had on children as well. The movie is 104 minutes, but once we jump to the dropping of the bomb it flew by due to its shocking nature.
I honestly would say this is truly essential viewing, and a travesty that this film doesn't have the recognition it deserves. I'm truly grateful once again to Arrow for releasing this. I must warn you, this is no easy watch, but again, I would say as film fans here, you should check it out. I hope this films gets a wider audience due to this release, because it deserves it.
4. Come and See (Criterion Collection)
While the complaints of Criterion not going UHD seeming to have dominated any Criterion conversation, 2020 was one of the best years in terms of the quality of films releases from the company, and Come and See is a testament to that fact.
This is another gut wrenching experience of a film that leaves you feeling uneasy when it's over. War is hell as the saying goes, and this one film that truly encapsulates that motto. The Criterion release looks fantastic as is expected from the company.
5. The Stalking Moon (Warner Archies Collection)
WAC and 2020 seem to have had an arrangement to release an assortment of more light hearted fare, but The Stalking Moon is one notable exception.
A western like no other, where death is a matter of fact, and no one is truly safe. WAC restoration of the film is breathtaking. While no special features of merit are presented here, the fact that this film received a release is important enough.
6. Survivor Ballads: Three Films by Shohei Imamura (Arrow Academy)
Three Japanese films from the 1980's with two of them being the most important Japanese films of the era. Arrow's release is meticulous in its presentation and content. Includes a well written and informative piece by Tom Mes that really goes into the mythos of Shohei Imamura.
Films fans are in for a treat with Ballad of Narayama and especially Black Rain which might be one of the most important Japanese films ever made. Black Rain will leave you contemplating your life and to not take advantage of a single day that you're still alive. That feeling may fade over a few days, but the movie never really evaporates from the recess of your mind.
7.
Uncut Gems (Lionsgate)
My personal favorite film of 2019 and one of my favorite releases of the year. It's only 7 on the list due to not having an assortment of special features.
However, the Lionsgate release features exceptional sound and picture for a film that those with high levels of anxiety should avoid. This is a film that moves quick and give you little time to breath. Once you're out of breath it hits you over the head and knocks you the floor and it never lets up after this point. Adam Sandlers finest performance is preserved for our lifetimes (unless disc rot gets it first) with his solid release.
8. Friday The 13th: Collection (Scream Factory)
Despite discs with a few "issues" this was one of the most impressive sets released on Blu-ray. Ever. Assembled into the middle of a pandemic was no easy feat, especially considering the amount of features that make into on this set.
The films have never looked as impressive as they do in the set, which include the original poster art of the films on the disc sleeves. There is not much I can add to what has been already said about these films, but as a Jason fan growing up, I felt fully satisfied.
9. The Hit (Criterion Collection)
While not a huge jump from the DVD release, it does provide an upgrade for fans of the film.
Long missing in the US on Blu-ray, that was finally rectified in 2020 thanks to Criterion. A complex and contemplative gangster films that is pushed beyond a typical gangster films thanks to direction of Stephen Fears and the performances of John Hurt and Terence Stamp.
A solid release that should be part of any gangster film fans collection.
10. Wicked City (Discotek Media)
You can never be sure what films may make the cut to Blu-ray, thanks to Discotek, Wicked City finally has a US release.
The film has never looked as good as it does here, and every drop of blood and sweat is fully preserved in a glorious encode. An anime film that is not accessible for everyone due to its nature and content, but it is a film that is well made and keeps you glued to your seat for its running time. Once again, an exceptional release.
Notable mentions:
Zebraman (Media Blasters)
Gemini (Mondo Macabre)
Attack! (Kino Lorber)
Ghost Dog (Criterion)
The Untold Story (Unearthed Films)
Brute Force (Criterion)
Gamera (Arrow)
Live Like a Cop, Die Like a Man (Raro)
Solid Metal Nightmares (Arrow)
The Great Escape (Criterion)
The Wizard (Shout Factory)
Tremors (Arrow)
All countries
Argentina
Austria
Belgium
Brazil
Bulgaria
Chile
China
Colombia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Estonia
Denmark
Finland
Greece
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
Indonesia
Ireland
Israel
India
Latvia
Lithuania
Malaysia
New Zealand
Norway
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russia
Singapore
South Africa
South Korea
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Thailand
Turkey
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
2020 A Year in Review - Best/Most Important Blu-ray releases
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