What would the end of the year be without a “best-of” list?

In December, magazines, newspapers, TV shows and Web sites are all busy publishing their best-of lists and we here at decided to join in the fun. Our well dressed, impeccably groomed and down right good-looking staff worked their virtual fingers to the bone sorting through all the DVD releases of the last year to find the crème de la crème in Action/Adventure, Animation, Comedy, Cult, Drama, Horror, Kids, Music, Science Fiction and Television genres. We believe that these releases stand out from the pack and would make great gifts for anyone on your list. If you agree with our choices, make sure and visit our forum to give us a pat on the back, or, if you disagree, pop in and tell us why!

Action/Adventure

V for Vendetta (Widescreen Two-Disc Special Edition)
The Wachowskis have positioned themselves as creators of "thinking man's" action films since the extraordinary success of The Matrix back in 1999. V for Vendetta may be their most accomplished merging of thought provoking themes with balls-out action to date. The film is at once an exploration of the nature of terrorism, oppression and the abuse of power and an eye popping thrill ride filled with memorable images and situations. The two disc special edition of V for Vendetta would be a perfect gift for action fans who want a little more depth than what the average big-budget shoot-em-ups offer.
- – Chris Hughes

Animation

My Neighbor Totoro
The DVD format has been integral in helping spread Miyazaki’s animation in North America. Many people stare in awe as they watch Princess Mononoke or Spirited Away, but My Neighbor Totoro is my personal favorite. It's the only film I can think of that captures what it truly is to live the relatively carefree lifestyle of a kid. The children in this film have exciting and safe adventures, without any real heavy villains, and their “imaginary” friends (I say this only because adults can’t see them) serve more of a protective parental role than they provide comic relief, although at times they are whimsically funny. If you have kids, you absolutely must add this DVD to your collection. If you don't have children, but have a heart, you're still quite likely to be mesmerized by the story and beautiful animation. 
-- Shawn McLoughlin

Comedy

Clerks II
Let's be honest, there is no way in hell that a sequel to Kevin Smith's breakthrough, no-budget, 1994 indie Clerks should have even been made. Clerks was something of a surprise in a movie world still bloated and fat on Joel Silver and Don Simpson mega-spectacles. This little black & white film, starring, written, and directed by nobody, burst onto the scene with something not seen in movies in far too long: funny and interesting dialogue. When the idea of a sequel came up, not only did friends and fans tell Smith it couldn't be done, they said it shouldn't be done. Smith rose to a challenge that should never have been made and directed a film that should never have existed. Yet the whole thing works. Not only that, Clerks II stands as one of his best, most complete films yet. Funny, poignant, and far better than it has any right to be, Clerks II is the perfect compliment to the imperfect original.
-– Larry Philips

Cult Movies (Tie)

Valley of the Dolls /
Say what you will about the excessive melodrama that is Valley Of The Dolls, but there is no denying the fact you will forever be changed after watching it. Taking Jacqueline Susann’s very serious novel and translating it to the big screen may have been too daunting a task. The quickly changing attitudes of the female cast, and the most passive male cast in history makes the entire story unrealistic. So when the not-quite-a-sequel, Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls, was released, there was no holding back. With the writing talents of film critic Roger Ebert, and the bouncy-bouncy contributions of director Russ Meyer, a strange kitchen sink genre consisting of rock opera, comedy, psychedelic, drama and even giallo was created. If nothing else, you will stare at the screen in complete disbelief for 110 minutes. I mean, how can you not love a film with the dialog: “You're a groovy boy. I'd like to strap you on sometime!”
-– Shawn McLoughlin

Eraserhead
Finally, in 2006, one of the greatest visions ever committed to film has been released to a wide audience by Subversive Cinema. Up until now, the only way to acquire a Region 1 DVD of Eraserhead was to purchase it on DavidLynch.com. Though you won't get the beautiful packaging offered in the original, the content within is the same, including the impeccable remaster by Lynch himself.

Described by Lynch as a "dream of dark and troubling things," Eraserhead has gone on to influence not only filmmakers such as Stanley Kubrick, who considered this to be one of his favorite films, but musicians such as Bauhaus, The Pixies, Devo, The Dead Kennedys, and Pantera. This is one of the few instances in film where you will be completely absorbed into a strange new world, one that manages to take control over all your senses and even time itself. This truly is an experience unlike any other.
-- lostwire

Drama

Double Indemnity (Universal Legacy Series)
One of the best movies in the history of American cinema got a stellar treatment in 2006. Double Indemnity is a movie that is engrossing and thrilling even 62 years after its initial release. With this set Universal Studios cleaned up the print and provided a ton of extras including multiple commentary tracks, a documentary featurette and even a made for TV remake. This one is highly recommended for the classic movie fan on any Christmas list.
- – Cary Christopher

Horror

Slither
I don’t know about you all, but I am so sick of slasher movies and remakes that I welcome ANY entry into the horror genre that doesn’t fall into one of those categories. The great thing about Slither though is that it’s incredibly easy to like. This has a great story (original while still falling back on genre themes), great acting, lots of fun gore and is directed with enough skill to balance the scares with the humor seamlessly. In short, it hits all the right notes and is a “must see” for the B-movie horror fan on your list.
- – Cary Christopher

Kids

Lady and the Tramp (50th Anniversary Edition)
We here at love a nice, wide movie, and so far, Disney hasn't made anything wider than this. Best remembered for its romantic dinner scene, Lady And The Tramp has finally been released in the entire width of its CinemaScope aspect ratio of 2.55:1.

As with any classic Disney film, the amount of trivia tied to the project is quite extensive. A few fun facts about this film:

- The opening hatbox sequence is said to be based on a real life event in Walt's personal life.
- Trusty, originally scripted to die after saving Tramp, appears at the end of the film after Disney chose to avoid a repeat of the controversy surrounding Bambi.
- It wasn't until production had already begun that the decision was made to shoot in CinemaScope. To fit the new format, additions had to be made to many of the backgrounds.

This just might be the finest restoration Disney has ever done for a movie that was released under Walt's guidance. And what an astounding picture it is.
-- lostwire

Music

KISSology '74-'77
One of the most photographed & talked about bands of all-time steps up with the best live DVD to ever grace our screens. This is KISS at their finest. You will not find one frame of film captured on these discs where any member of the band wasn't giving it his all. Say what you want about them now. They're a business. Cash cows. Hell, I'll give you that. But at this point in their career, the guys were about partying, tearing the roof down, & putting on a show you'd never forget. Fuck art & all that, let's get smashed & have hot sweaty underage sex on the hood of your parent's car. KISS was about KISS back then, & each member was without a doubt living that philosophy to the hilt. They fucking kick ass!

KISSology '74-'77. Buy it or rent it, you'll see. That's a promise. Throw down a few bucks & set aside a night for the greatest show ever to hit the stage. See it for yourself. You'll witness that the legend is, in fact, real.
-- lostwire

Science Fiction & Fantasy (Tie)

Godzilla - Gojira Deluxe Collector's Edition
The Japanese release of the seminal monster movie Godzilla - originally titled Gojira - has been the holy grail for American monster movie fans for decades. Far more serious in tone than any of the many Toho Studios sequels that followed, Gojira is more than a cult film; it's a cultural artifact and a work of art that holds its own against some of the greatest genre films ever made. This excellent release includes a fully restored version of Gojira as well as the re-edited and Americanized version "starring" insert shots of Raymond Burr. If there's a Toho monster movie fan on your list, you can't go wrong with Godzilla - Gojira Deluxe Collector's Edition.
-– Chris Hughes

Planet of the Apes - The Ultimate DVD Collection - With Ape Head Packaging
DVD collectors are something of completists at heart. The desire for unseen footage, director's cuts, original trailers, etc. mean that when a real fan wants to own a movie, they want to own as much as they can from it. 20th Century Fox realized that when they gave Planet Of The Apes fans their ultimate wet dream. Sure, as an Apes fan, you've double and triple dipped quite a bit. It has been easy to justify those dips because each new release has been bigger and better. This collection is no exception. Every Apes movie ever made (including Burton's flawed interpretation)? Check! Every episode of the Apes television show? Check! Every episode of the vintage Apes cartoon? Check! In 14(!) discs, this set packs in all that and more into an Apes set that will melt your brain with joy. Now, pack that set into a replica head of Roddy McDowell's Cornelius, and you've now just become the absolute BEST DVD SET EVER CREATED!
-- Larry Phillips

Television

The Venture Bros.: Season One
On the surface, The Venture Bros. - a popular 1/2 hour show that's part of Cartoon Network's Adult Swim block - is a parody of the 1960s Saturday morning mainstay Johnny Quest. The character design and animation style are very reminiscent of that show, but The Venture Bros. doesn't limit itself to a single target. The writers and artists skewer '50s genre sci-fi, Marvel and DC comics, reality TV, James Bond, prime time "workplace comedies" and much more. This release includes the full first season along with a nice selection of extras that will please both fans of the show and newcomers who appreciate snappy dialogue and hip, nuanced humor.
-- Chris Hughes