First things first. For those of you interested and excited that Criterion is going to start releasing Blu-ray titles but worried about the cost, considering Criterion DVDs aren't exactly cheap and to spend the same kind of money on essentially the same film in high-definition need not worry so much, there is a small bit of fresh air. Of course, this isn't a solution that makes it a free upgrade, but the die-hards out there at least have an option.

Criterion is offering the option that you send in your current DVD (just the disc) and $25 ($20 for the new disc and $5 for shipping) and they will send you back the corresponding Blu-ray disc. The only difference is going to be the high-definition transfer between back titles and the fact that Blu-ray editions will come in the blue case packaging. This seems like it will save you somewhere from $10-15 per disc. You can get full-details here.

Heroes – The Complete First & Second Seasons
	I am not sure how much of my advice you need on whether or not you are going to buy "Heroes" on Blu-ray or DVD, but you may be interested in what I had to say about the show itself if you have never seen it and you may also be interested to hear what I said about the differences and flaws you will find on the Blu-ray and DVD releases. I have already reviewed these titles in a two-part review feature with Part One talking about the show itself and Part Two talking more about the special features and specs of each release. I tried to keep them both short considering the massive amount of material there was to cover so hopefully you will get your answers. You can find Part One here and Part Two here. If you have already made up your mind the buy now links are directly below for whatever format you may choose.
BUY NOW: Season One Blu-ray | Season One DVD | Season Two Blu-ray | Season 2 DVD

The Shield – The Complete Sixth Season
	I also just posted my review for this DVD release right here and in a nut shell I will say it is a good thing the seventh season will be the last season of "The Shield". As much as I like this show the recent seasons have shown an obvious lack in quality and direction. In one of the interviews on this release I think it is one of the writers that basically says, look at everything these guys have done, there is nothing more to do. He is so right, but nevertheless this show is a ton of fun to watch. I have all six seasons so far and can't wait to add the seventh and final to my collection next year.

Brotherhood of the Wolf (2-Disc Director's Cut)
	From what I can tell this edition of Brotherhood of the Wolf has about seven additional minutes added to the film and then the 40 minutes of deleted scenes that were not added to the film. I like this film and while I have this Director's Cut sitting right here in front of me while I type this I haven't yet had the opportunity to pop it into the player to see what it is all about. The last time I watched the film was way back in 2002 when it first hit DVD. Someone has since bought the original DVD release for me, but I haven't found the right occasion to watch it again. Like I said, this is a film I liked, but for some reason it isn't a liking that equates to multiple viewings. Director Christophe Gans showed some real talent with this flick, but his follow-up, the videogame adaptation of Silent Hill didn't really progress his career as he probably thought it would. However, you should give this flick a once over if you haven't seen it before. I can certainly say you will enjoy it at least once.

Universal Blu-ray Action Pack (U-571, Miami Vice, End of Days)
	Like the "Heroes" releases above I also have a combined review for these three titles as well. My recommendation is to avoid buying any of them unless there is some serious bargain pricing, but the $41.95 pricing for all three at Amazon isn't worth it for three films that aren't very good.
BUY NOW: Miami Vice | U-571 | End of Days | Action Pack

How the West Was Won
	I wanted to review this since I have never seen it, but alas, it was not sent to me. There is some real history with this release however as it presents the film with a unique curvature that virtually recreates the true Cinerama experience in a home theater in an aspect ratio of 2.89:1. However, I can't tell you anything about it because I haven't seen it. Sorry.

The Adventures of Robin Hood
	One thing I said when I reviewed the HD DVD version of this 1938 classic is just how good these older films are able to look in high-definition. Of course, like How the West was Won, I haven't seen the Blu-ray edition, but if the HD DVD version is any indication this flick will look and sound great.

Walker Payne
	Starring the likes of Jason Patric, Sam Shepard, Drea de Matteo, Kadee Strickland and Bruce Dern, Walker Payne is written and directed by "Roseanne" and "Home Improvement" television writer/creator Matt Williams. However, this isn't some slapstick sitcomic, it's a romantic drama that never managed to find its way into theaters after premiering at the 2006 Tribeca Film Festival. So, Image Entertainment picked it up and after a lot of research decided August 26, 2008 was the best day possible to release it on DVD. you biting?

The Nightmare Before Christmas (2-Disc Collector's Edition)
	I may be one of the only people out there that has seen this movie and didn't enjoy it. I have only seen it once, but it took me about three tries to make it through the short 76 minute running time. However, I just received the Blu-ray copy a day or so ago and may have to give it another spin.

Redbelt
	This is a movie that could have been really good. Unfortunately it was not as it lost all direction about midway through and then had one of the weirdest endings I had seen in some time. However, it did give me the chance to sit down with Chiwetel Ejiofor for an interview. So that's a plus.

What Happens in Vegas
	I haven't thought much about the worst movies I have seen this year since posting my midway worst of 2008 so far top ten in which What Happens in Vegas came in at #4, but I am pretty sure it is still in the top five. This is a movie you would actually have to pay me to watch again and even then you would probably have to strap me in and inject me with Red Bull if you wanted me to finish it. This is the kind of film that speaks volumes about what is wrong with films recently and it will never cease to confuse me why people continue to support films like this.

The Presidents Collection
	I have not had a chance to watch any of the features in this collection, but I am quite impressed by it nonetheless. Brought to you by PBS this collection takes an in-depth look at ten different presidents and the complete set has an approximate running time of 35 hours. It takes a look at the lives of Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, John Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. From the outside it looks extremely interesting, but like I said I have not had a chance to watch any of them yet, primarily because they are so long. I just thought I would mention it for anyone that may be interested.

• The Little Mermaid – Ariel's Beginning
• Entourage – The Complete Fourth Season
• One Tree Hill – The Complete Fifth Season
• NCIS – The Fifth Season
• Pale Rider (Blu-ray)
• Where in the World Is Osama Bin Laden?
• Postal
• Chicago 10
• Dude Where's My Car (Blu-ray)
• August

• Hellboy II: The Golden Army (3-Disc Collector's Edition)
  Releasing on November 18, 2008
• Hellboy II: The Golden Army
  Releasing on November 18, 2008
• Beer For My Horses
  Releasing on November 11, 2008
• The Perfect Holiday (buy now)
  Releasing on November 4, 2008
• When Did You Last See Your Father?
  Releasing on November 4, 2008
• The Simpsons – The Complete Eleventh Season (buy now)
  Releasing on October 7, 2008
• Kung Fu Panda (buy now)
  Releasing on November 11, 2008

• Austin Powers Collection: Shagadelic Edition, Loaded with Extra Mojo (buy now)
  Releasing on December 2, 2008
• Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2-Disc Collector's Edition)
  Releasing on November 18, 2008
• The Jewel of the Nile (buy now)
  Releasing on October 14, 2008
• Romancing the Stone (buy now)
  Releasing on October 14, 2008
• Kung Fu Panda (buy now)
  Releasing on November 11, 2008
• Poltergeist (buy now)
  Releasing on October 14, 2008

Related post categories: Blu-ray, Home Video News, This Week On DVD and Blu-ray : Brotherhood of the Wolf, DVD, End of Days, Heroes, How the West Was Won, Miami Vice, Redbelt, The Adventures of Robin Hood, The Shield, Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas, U-571, Walker Payne, What Happens in Vegas

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