The Best of Judge Christopher Kulik (Nov 2007 - present)
The Apartment: Collector's Edition (10 Mar 2008)
One of my first personal collection reviews is also an all-time favorite. Even though it could have used more bonus features, I was more than pleased and gave the release a near-perfect score. The symbolism in Mr. Sheldrake giving Miss Kubilek $100 gets me every time. I'm also proud of the blurb I created: "Judge Christopher Kulik wants to rise up on DVD Verdict. So, if any other judge wants to use his apartment for extramarital affairs, give him a buzz."
The Earrings Of Madame de...: Criterion Collection (24 Sep 2008)
The first and only Criterion release I've reviewed, to date. This was a huge surprise. Even though I've previously read about the film, I had yet to watch it, and now consider it the finest film to ever come out of France. Once again, Criterion's treatment shows the utmost respect, and it was a pleasure sifting through the many bonus features.
Faces Of Death: 30th Anniversary Edition (7 Nov 2008)
This was a bizarre discovery. I was enamored with the film, despite its well-known controversy and false misperceptions. The director's commentary was genuinely fascinating, and there was much about this film which kept my attention, even though much of it can now be found on YouTube.
The High School Flashback Collection (17 Sep 2008)
More of a critical essay than a review, I framed it with a historical perspective on how John Hughes changed the teen movie landscape of the '80s. Unfortunately, this double dip of his three seminal films -- Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, and Weird Science -- was a surprising disappointment, although revisiting them (two of them anyway) was exciting.
Howard The Duck: Special Edition (9 Mar 2009)
This has long been considered my DVD Holy Grail. I'm still shocked Universal finally gave this feathered fiasco a break by releasing it as a special edition. My whole argument here was to ask how one could "hate" this film when it was impossible to take seriously. If you thought it was terrible, fine. I just scratch my head at the critics who never gave it an ounce of mercy.
I Could Never Be Your Woman (5 May 2008)
Another personal collection review, this charming romantic comedy was dumped on DVD with no rhyme or reason, after never being granted a theatrical release. Reviewing it was fun, recognizing the feminist undertones in Amy Heckerling's sharp script, which was essentially an older-woman/younger-guy romance told with wittiness and style.
A Midsummer Night's Dream (1935) (14 Jan 2008)
One of the few reviews I spent more than a week writing. This one covers the 1935 production which I've long considered one of the best Shakespeare adaptations, with its cast and production values overcoming Hollywood indulgences. The release was better than expected, with a commentary and many bonus features. This is one of those rare films English teachers can utilize to compliment the source material.
Savage Streets: 2-Disc Special Edition (7 Nov 2008)
Sometimes exploitation films can yield huge surprises... such as Linda Blair's breasts. I was not familiar with this 1984 rape-revenge flick and it was a lot more fun than I expected. Not so much a great film as an experience that plays like gangbusters for its intended audience. It was especially fun watching Blair exact vengenance on a gang of goons.
Scarface: Universal Cinema Classics (16 Nov 2007)
My first review for Verdict, I was pleased to get a chance to praise this classic. However, I couldn't resist poking fun at the overrated remake. To my surprise, reader response to the review was overwhelmingly positive. A good start to my film reviewing career.
Vertigo: Special Edition (7 Oct 2008)
Finally, I end this list with a review of one of my all-time favorite films. Getting to write about it was a real privilege, but challenging since I didn't know what else to say about a classic for which so much had already been written. In the end, I talked about how it's justifiably one of the all-time greats, remaining powerful to this very day. Universal's package was superlative, offering the best transfer to date.
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