Ridley Scott's sci-fi classic Alien comes to DVD in this two-disc Collector's Edition from 20th Century Fox. Presented with a widescreen 2.35:1 color transfer. Dolby Digital Surround soundtracks are available in English and Spanish. English closed captions and Spanish subtitles are also accessible. Disc one contains the original 1979 theatrical version and the 2003 digitally restored Director's Cut. Scott also contributes an introduction and a full-length audio commentary track. Other commentators include writer Dan O'Bannon, producer Ronald Shusett, editor Terry Rawlings, and castmembers Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerrit, Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dean Stanton, and John Hurt. Disc two contains all the bonus footage. Behind-the-scenes featurettes include "Star Beast: Developing the Story," "The Visualists: Direction and Design," "Truckers in Space: Casting," "The Eighth Passenger: Creature Design," and "The Chestbuster: Creature Design." Also contains screen tests, scene studies, photo galleries, and deleted scenes. Other bonus material explores the music, editing, storyboards, and even the poster. A highly recommended disc for fans of the saga.

Highlander II is one film that will not die. It seems that every five years or so, a new version of this sucker is released, and while improvements have definitely been made, the film is still regarded as a turkey. Now audiences have Lion's Gate's two-disc Special Edition, complete with enhanced and "re-imagined" visual effects that not only bring the film into the digital age, but far closer to what the filmmakers had originally envisioned. So what does this sour sequel look like this time around? Well, gone are the ridiculous blood-red skies, replaced with a cool-blue color that the cinematographer had initially planned on with his lighting, which along with a few enhanced CG shots, does make the film a much more pleasant visual experience. Pair that with an anamorphic 2.35:1 widescreen picture that's been given a newly remastered high-definition transfer from the original film negative, and you have a quite a remarkable presentation on this puppy. The audio has been given a major overhaul as well, with 5.1 Dolby Digital EX and 6.1 DTS ES tracks that are covered with newly created sound effects made especially for this DVD. So, basically, you have the director Russell Mulcahy's Renegade version of the film with a massive cosmetic makeover, a fine and much needed improvement over what was once there -- it's just too bad they couldn't do anything to redo the story, performances, and heavily crippled dialogue. Disc one is devoid of the commentary that was included on the film's prior DVD release, but includes a special branching feature that points the viewer to behind-the-scenes footage on the making of certain scenes. The supplemental disc continues to delve into the production, this time through various documentaries that paint a picture of a film with high aspirations that was sorely crippled by its investors, filming locations, and laborious schedule. The 50-minute mega-documentary "Highlander 2: Seduced by Argentina" starts the fun off right with a detailed look at the history of the film and the ups and downs of filming in a gorgeous city on the brink of its own economic disaster. The rest of the disc is split into four smaller featurettes that cover the music, costuming, cinematography, and the technical redemption that this enhanced version of the film now presents. Interviews with composer and rock group the Police alumni Stewart Copeland, costume designer Deborah Everton, along with cinematographer Phil Meheux and visual effects designer Sam Nicholson are included and very well handled, though combined with the additional thoughts from producers Peter S. Davis and William Panzer, one underlying question pops up -- where's Russell Mulcahy? Either way, the featurettes do a wonderful job of making even the most diehard opponent of the film respect the hard work and craftsmanship that was put into the film, whether it be the gorgeous cinematography or the sweeping, operatic score. A ten-minute presentation that was originally presented at the 1991 Cannes Film Festival can also be found on the disc, as well as the original theatrical trailer and five minutes of deleted scenes (including the so-bad-it's-good "fairy tale" ending -- Yikes!). So while the filmmakers can't exactly change time and undo most of the sequel's major mistakes, they can at least make sure to preserve the original vision and pay respect to the talented crew that helped bring that vision to life -- something that this DVD does fantastically well.

The South Park animated television show has cultivated an enormous following, and this crudely funny and supremely foul-mouthed spin-off movie has been given competent if less than extravagant DVD treatment. The minimalist animation that is the trademark of South Park does not exemplify the wonders of DVD as well as the likes of Fantasia 2000, but South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut blends in some impressive CGI that really comes into its own in the smooth, anamorphic widescreen transfer. Sound-wise, there is a choice of Dolby 5.1 or Surround Sound, which ensures that the marvelous musical numbers (not to mention the expletives) can be heard in crystal clarity. Unfortunately there are few additional features of any note. The menu screen is amusing, and scene access is deftly handled, plus those of a hardy disposition may enjoy watching the film with the subtitles on (watch those obscenities roll by!). However, the trailers are of limited appeal, the teaser in particular suffering without the surprise element that made it funny in cinemas. Though a commentary would perhaps not have worked, a little background to the film would have been welcome, particularly given the involvement of George Clooney, Minnie Driver, and the rest. This DVD will probably be essential for most South Park fans, but it is still something of a missed opportunity.

Robert Mandel's drama about anti-Semitism, School Ties, comes to DVD with a widescreen anamorphic transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1. English soundtracks are rendered in Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Digital Surround, while a French soundtrack has also been recorded in Dolby Digital Surround. There are no subtitles, but the 5.1 English soundtrack is closed-captioned. There are no supplemental materials of any consequence, but the disc does offer solid sound and picture quality.