The Terminator features a wonderful 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer that is remarkable for a film released back in 1984. A few specks of dirt appear on the print, but they're extremely minor and don't hinder the experience in any way. This disc includes a brand-new 5.1-channel Dolby Surround transfer that showcases a significant amount of power and depth. It also contains the original mono track, which lacks the strength of its companion but does have a balanced level of sound. This special edition of The Terminator contains an impressive collection of supplements that should please its many devout fans. The highlights are two well-done documentaries that provide plenty of background material. "Other Voices" is a comprehensive new extra that includes basically everyone involved with the film in a significant capacity. "The Terminator -- A Retrospective" features an informal conversation between James Cameron and Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1992 about their experiences making the film. The other major inclusion is seven deleted scenes that are more interesting than the usual throwaway moments. Cameron offers commentary on each cut and tries to explain why he made the deletion. There's also a large still gallery that contains numerous drawings and photographs in five categories. The most interesting section includes artwork by Cameron of his original concepts and storyboarded sequences. This disc offers fans a chance at reading Cameron's original film treatment. Written in 1982, it's very extensive and includes the basic structure for the final version. There are also several original theatrical trailers and television commercials included on this release.
Rob Reiner's effective adaptation of Stephen King's Misery comes to DVD with two different images. The widescreen transfer preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and is preferable to the standard full-frame 1.33:1 image. The closed-captioned English soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital Surround. Spanish and French subtitles are also available. Supplemental features include a collectible booklet, the original theatrical trailer, and a teaser trailer. Though the film is short on extras, Kathy Bates' Academy Award-winning performance makes this a disc worth watching.
One of Chuck Norris' more celebrated features, Menahem Golan's The Delta Force comes to DVD with a standard full-frame 1.33:1 image that fails to preserve the original theatrical aspect ratio. A closed-captioned English soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital Surround. Spanish and French subtitles are accessible. Supplemental materials include original theatrical trailers. Although the lack of supplemental features and the pan-and-scanned image are a letdown, the disc will please Chuck Norris fans. However, nothing on this disc will convert the non-fan.
Road House has received a fun special edition via this DVD from MGM. This disc comes up aces in the transfer department: the video transfer offers a sharp, anamorphically enhanced widescreen transfer with strong levels of detail and color while the audio track uses the film's original Dolby Surround stereo mix, which delivers all the sonic details with plenty of clarity and punch. This disc also offers a hefty collection of extras. First up is a pair of commentary tracks. The first features director Rowdy Herrington, who gives the film a nuts-and-bolts dissection from a directorial standpoint. It suffers from periodic gaps of silence but still offers plenty of worthwhile information for the fans. Also included is a commentary by Road House fans, director Kevin Smith and his producing partner Scott Mosier. They offer a sometimes witty, sometimes raunchy string of comments on the flick that are likely to appeal to the camp-minded audience that has grown around Road House. There is also a humor-minded trivia track that offers random non-film factoids and plenty of riffing on the film. However, the most satisfying extras on the disc are a pair of featurettes: the first is a retrospective interview with cast and crew that discusses all aspects of the film and the second is a piece that features several real-life bouncers discussing their views on the film and the character of Dalton. Both offer plenty of amusing insights at a fast clip and are well worth the time for the fan. The only flaws in the extras department are the lack of a theatrical trailer and the fact that they didn't bring Patrick Swayze in for a commentary. That said, Road House: Deluxe Edition is likely to make the film's fans happy.