FOX has released "Ravenous", a film that fares much better on the small screen than in theaters in spite of its large canvas.  This reviewer admits disliking it upon viewing it in the theater.  However, on the small screen, the story felt more intimate and tense!  The plot revolves around an outpost and the hostile environment outside where lives a canibal.  The film takes the premise and plays with it, at times, emulating moments from a film taking place centuries later, "The Hitcher" with Rutger Hauer.  The acting is first-rate, however the direction is plodding at times.  It's all the more surprising when hearing the director speak on an audio commentary track, because she explains why certain scenes were cut due to pacing, while the film still suffers from too much footage.  The transfer looks outstanding, with nearly flawless detail and contrast in every shot.  There are no artifacts present anywhere.  The dolby digital 5.1 surround sound is used mostly for music, but there are some innovative sound effects.

Director Kathryn Bigelow's "Strange Days" is disturbing for many reasons, but none of it is related to intention on behalf of the filmmakers.  The real question is why such a talented director didn't realize the script was so shoddy.  Sure, the various ideas of the futuristic setting are imaginative, but there's little in the way of character development, and no real heroes to root for.  It's also extremely depressing without being ultimately rewarding.

However, the transfer is outstanding!!!!  While the laserdisc versions were also terrific, they suffered from grain, whereas the dvd is flawless in every scene.  The contrast and clarity are virtually unsurpassed here!!!  The dolby digital 5.1 is on par with the magnificent soundtrack of the DTS laserdisc!  There's more than enough directional effects to make this a demonstration title!!!  In addition, all of the supplementary materials of the laserdisc are here!!! There's an audio commentary with the director, and a deleted scenes section.