Things that I own that I'm pretty happy about - The Criterion Collection: The Royal Tenenbaums

The Criterion Collection: The Royal Tenenbaums



So I bought this a couple of weeks back because I saw it on sale for $16.99 and couldn't resist it. I love Wes Anderson's work - well, I thought Bottle Rocket was a tad bit overrated, but I still liked it - and he seems to get better with each work (and I'm excited about The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou, naturally).

I thought the acting was fantastic, and Anderson created this wonderful New York-like world with such attention to detail, but simultaneously drew it with a broad stroke with little regard for the trivial.

But let's get to the DVD set.

Double Disc Set includes:

• Special slipcase/box packaging featuring Richard Avedon's cast photo, plus cover artwork by Eric Anderson


• New widescreen digital transfer, supervised by director Wes Anderson and enhanced for widescreen televisions


• Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 soundtracks


• Commentary by Wes Anderson


• With the Filmmaker: Portraits by Albert Maysles, featuring Wes Anderson


• Exclusive video interviews and behind-the-scenes footage of Gene Hackman, Anjelica Huston, Ben Stiller, Gwyneth Paltrow, Luke Wilson, Owen Wilson, Bill Murray, and Danny Glover


• Outtakes


• The Peter Bradley Show, featuring interviews with additional cast members


• The Art of the Movie: Young Richie's murals and paintings, still photographs by set photographer James Hamilton, book and magazine covers, Studio 360 radio segment on painter Miguel Calderón, and storyboards


• Theatrical trailers


• Collectible insert including Eric Anderson's drawings


• English subtitles for the deaf and hearing impaired


• Optimal image quality: RSDL dual-layer edition

So yeah, I love it. Watched it this weekend, remembered why I liked it so much the first time around. And I have a much better appreciation for Royal Tenenbaum and Buckley the dog.

I haven't gotten to the extra features disc yet, but the booklet with Eric Anderson's drawings are great.



Speaking of badass DVDs, the first season of Arrested Development is coming out this Tuesday.