Just a bit of a disclaimer before I set out on publishing my rather fluid “Best DVDs of the Year” list.

The problem with me and “best of” lists is that by the time I get around to really checking out everything a given year has to offer, it is six months later. So, with that being said, here (without introduction) is my list of the ten best DVDs of the year, with a few special awards.

1. The Wizard of Oz: Three-Disc Special Edition

One of the cornerstones of American cinema, The Wizard of Oz has finally been given the DVD treatment it deserves. Thanks to Warner Brothers, who are quickly gaining on Criterion for the top prize as a peddler of extra loaded special editions, fans of this classic are given a newly restored, glorious transfer and two discs full of extra features like documentaries and other embodiments of Baum’s story.

2. Sin City: Extended Edition

While this was perhaps the worst case of taking advantage of the DVD consumer this year (officially announced about a week after the bare-bones release hit shelves), fans of Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez’s bound to be cult classic should rush out and buy this package. Complete with an extended cut of the film, two great commentary tracks, a bunch of documentaries (including the great “the movie in high-speed green screen”), and a miniature copy of the first graphic novel, the Sin City special edition is one of the best DVDs around.

3. King Kong: Special Edition

Not only did Warner Brothers hit a home run with the Wizard of Oz set, but they belted another one in with the long awaited special edition of King Kong. While the film has aged and it stands up as one of the best B-movies of all time, Kong is one of the first in line to show the progression of the Hollywood blockbuster and is still a lot of fun to watch. Aside from the gorgeous new video transfer, the real highlights of the disc are the enthusiastic commentary track with Ray Harryhausen and others and the superb documentaries, which include a wonderful digression on the lost “Spider Pit Sequence.”

4. Batman: The Motion Picture Anthology

2005 was a great year for comic book movies, both inside and outside of the theatre. This great double-dip set features some wonderful extras, especially a all-encompassing documentary on the first Batman. Moreover, each of the films has been remastered and comes with a DTS track. While Batman and Robin is definitely the downside of purchasing the entire set, the aesthetically pleasing box is well worth having Joel Schumacher’s blemish on your shelf.

5. Star Wars- Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

Episode III was George Lucas’s return to form: epic filmmaking following his homage to Saturday morning serials. The story, while familiar, seemed all the more refreshing once it hit the screen and while not as powerful as The Empire Strikes Back, the comparison is rather trite anyways. The DVD came equipped with one of the best sound and video transfers of the year and the documentary, “Within a Minute,” is a true gem of watching all the aspects of filmmaking come together.

6. Ran and Jules and Jim: Criterion Collection

2005 was another great year for Criterion, which brought cinephiles a bunch of great flicks in newly remastered and special feature packed discs (also see the Bresson flicks). Most especially, Criterion offered up some wonderful editions for two great masterpieces of cinema: Truffaut’s Jules and Jim and Kurosawa’s Ran. Criterion really picked up the slack here for previously issued editions of the films, handled with great negligence by Fox Lorber. In both cases, the films have been remastered (and, may I add, have never looked better) and given the usual outstanding assortment of extras that one an expect to find in almost every Criterion package.

8. The Fly: Special Edition and The Frighteners: Special Edition

Late 2005 brought two great double-dips that had been long deserved. Both of which have something besides the horror genre in common: mammoth “making of” documentaries. The documentaries accompanying the two films cover every aspect of production and their running lengths reflect their depth: around three hours for The Fly and a bit more for The Frighteners. Fans of both films will finally be pleased.

10. The Incredibles

Another hit for Pixar, The Incredibles is destined to become an animated classic. While not as strong as director Brad Bird’s debut, The Iron Giant, The Incredibles is as entertaining a movie for adults as it is for children and the DVD gives it the treatment it deserves: complete with deleted scenes, commentary tracks, and a new short film.

BEST DVD REPACKAGING

Alfred Hitchcock:  Masterpiece Collection 

Nothing really new here, a couple new transfers and a bonus disc. However, both cinephiles and Hitchcock fans get 14 films (which I haven’t even made my way completely through) for around ninety bucks. Also, the velvet case will put some class (and great movies) on your DVD rack.

Seinfeld: Seasons Five and Six

Seinfeld finally hit it a relatively even stride in the fifth and six seasons with such gems as “The Sniffling Accountant” and “The Hamptons.” While the extras on both sets are a little lax, the trivia tracks, commentaries, and inside looks are adequate. However, the real attraction here is having the full-length episodes and being able to watch them whenever you want.