Amadeus (Warner Home Video)

The newer Director’s Cut DVD is the way to go. Start with Mozart’s music, music that God himself puts on the celestial stereo when he needs to relax. Then add in quality performances by F. Murray Abraham, Tom Hulse, Jeffrey Jones, Roy Dotrice, Simon Callow, and Elizabeth Berridge, excellent cinematography, and an astounding movie commentary, and you have the recipe for a DVD for the ages -- one that introduced an appreciation for classical music to an entire generation (and counting).

Gettysburg (Warner Home Video)

Ronald F. Maxwell’s superb adaptation of Michael Sharra’s book The Killer Angels, commemorating three of the most important days in US history, is my war movie of choice. The cast is so close in appearance to the historical figures they depict as to allow me to feel I am watching live history. The quality of the film, shot on location in Gettysburg National Park, captures all the honor, horror, death, bravery, intelligence, and yes, stupidity of that tumultuous battle. Toss in extras that aid in both enjoyment and understanding of that time, and you have a winner.

The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939, MPI Home Video)

This Basil Rathbone version is still the one I stack against all comers. Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson are my gold standard for their respective roles. This film is as close as Rathbone ever got to Conan Doyle’s stories, and he makes the most of it. The wonderful remastering job by MPI brings out the best in this 1939 20th Century Fox classic. A decent set of extras is icing on the cake.

Ice Age (20th Century Fox Home Entertainment)

Get the two-disc Special Edition. While animated films continue to appear on DVD in great numbers, none, so far, combines all these elements -- fun, superb picture quality, perfect casting, and story -- quite as well. A family favorite. Voiceovers by Ray Romano, Denis Leary, and John Leguizamo are perfect for the characters. The bonus material makes this disc even more enjoyable.

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Special Extended DVD Editions): The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King (New Line Home Video)

Taken as a set, these three films are the ultimate in fantasy filmmaking and storytelling. Choose director Peter Jackson’s Special Extended DVD Editions, which offer much beyond the theatrical movies. Hewing close enough to Tolkien’s books so as not to overly offend purists, the films are superbly acted by Elijah Wood, Ian McKellan, Viggo Mortensen, Orlando Bloom, and too many others to name, beautifully filmed in New Zealand, and integrated with special effects that are the state of the art, as are the video and audio transfers on the DVDs.

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (20th Century Fox Home Entertainment)

I have a weakness for history and sailing, so this movie pushes my hot buttons and slides right into my favorites list. Wonderful depictions of life, both interesting and boring, aboard one of His Majesty’s ships in the early 1800s, and battle sequences that ring true to life, make this Peter Weir film special. Russell Crowe, as Captain "Lucky" Jack Aubrey, is brilliant.

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (Walt Disney Pictures)

To me, Captain Jack Sparrow is Johnny Depp’s most creative role, one in which he’s allowed to demonstrate the range of his acting ability. This is a comedy-adventure film of the first magnitude. Excellent yet subtly rendered special effects, together with a good story, a great villain, and picture quality of the highest order. Disney demonstrates it can still do "big" very well.

The Spitfire Grill (Warner Home Video)

Set in Maine but filmed in Vermont, this drama offers a look at small-town New England’s most positive and most negative aspects. Human emotions, good and bad, are laid bare. Ellen Burstyn, Marcia Gay Harden, and Will Patton are marvelous in this 1996 Sundance Film Festival Award winner, as a small-town family’s dark secrets are ripped open by the entrance of ex-convict Alison Elliott into their lives. The picture quality does credit to the spectacular location.

Star Wars: Episode IV -- A New Hope (20th Century Fox Home Entertainment)

This was the first, and is still the best movie of the Star Wars series. While many dislike George Lucas’ remastering -- a group I do not number myself among -- none can deny that the DVD release of his groundbreaking movie is of top quality. His story and cinematography were topnotch when made, and hold up just as well against today’s competition, as does his special effects work. The casting of Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Peter Cushing, and Alec Guinness was daring, not to mention the creation of what may be the ultimate villain -- Darth Vader.

Where the Rivers Flow North (A-Pix Entertainment)

Independent filmmaker Jay Craven’s initial foray into the stories of Howard Frank Mosher well depicts life in 1927 northeastern Vermont, when progress slammed hard against traditional country life. Filmed on location, with outstanding performances by Rip Torn, Tantoo Cardinal (who was nominated for an Oscar), Michael J. Fox, Treat Williams, and a host of local talent. Not many extras, but the film itself is special enough to be worth hunting down.