The first thing I’d like to talk about in today’s column is Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which comes out on Blu-ray today. I must say that I’ve been impressed over and over again with Disney’s Blu-ray conversions. (Mostly they’ve been Pixar, though, which seems perfect for Blu-ray). In any case, the transfer of this animation is (for lack of a better cliched word) breathtaking. It looks as crisp and clear as it must have the first time they projected it in 1937. One bonus feature that I’ve quite glad they’ve added is the “DisneyView”. Knowing that big screen TVs in the Widescreen configuration are the way of the future, they’ve commissioned an artist to paint some very lovely watercolor paintings to cover up the ugly gray or black bars that are ever present when movies filmed in a 1.33:1 aspect ratio. They are as lovely to look at as the film at times. As a movie and a piece of entertainment, I think Snow White has stood the test of time. The film is still entertaining, charming and every bit as relevant as the first day of its release. As for bonus features, the second disc is chock full of them. Walt Disney was notorious for having lots of cameras documenting every second of film production and the behind the scenes of this disc prove that 10 times over. I’m always fascinated by watching Walt Disney do his thing, and this is no exception.

Next on the list is Kenneth Branagh’s interpretation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein on Blu-ray. This is perhaps one of the most interesting adaptations of the material and stars Branagh as the titular character and Robert DeNiro as his monster.

Just in time for Halloween is the Blu-ray of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Sweet. Just what I needed right this minute. Don’t get me wrong, I love the cartoon, but right before Halloween? It just seems like poor timing.

Other than that, it’s a pretty dry week.

Be sure to check out Arse-bot’s highlights and lowlights over at his examiner page!