2008's best DVDs gave viewers a glimpse behind the scenes

Is the DVD dead? Hardly.

Yes, the economy has put a crimp in sales. And yes, the Blu-ray format, which provides better picture and sound, is gaining popularity.

But the DVD, now in its second decade, showed plenty of life in 2008. A host of stellar new releases pulled back the curtain to reveal the secrets behind the making of the films, while anniversary editions, reissues and box sets presented older films in a new context.

Here, then, is a rundown of the most memorable DVD experiences I had in 2008.

New releases

In terms of sheer coolness, no new release matched the two-disc collector's edition of "The Mist" (Genius Products), which came out in March. The film, inspired by a Stephen King novella, is a nice update of 1950s-era monster flicks, and it boasts a devastating ending that still gives me the willies. The two-disc DVD explores every aspect of the making of this low-budget gem, then delivers a knockout punch: an additional presentation of the entire film in pristine black-and-white, which director Frank Darabont preferred. This is what DVD is for!

Other great new releases:

• "Iron Man" (Paramount): The loaded two-disc "ultimate edition" includes a priceless clip of Robert Downey Jr. and Jeff Bridges rehearsing a scene together. Oh, and the movie rocks!

• "Hellboy II: The Golden Army" (Universal): Geek hero Guillermo del Toro serves up a smorgasbord of behind-the-scenes material on the three-disc set.

• "Wall-E" (Disney): One of the best movies of the year gets a DVD release perfect for young viewers and animation buffs.

• "The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters" (New Line): Awesome documentary, awesome special features. 'Nuff said.

Anniversaries

I love it when cult favorites get their due on tricked-out anniversary DVDs. That was the case this year when the horror film "Child's Play" (MGM) appeared in September on a "20th Birthday" edition. Granted, a film about a doll named Chucky that becomes possessed by the spirit of a serial killer and then terrorizes a Chicago family isn't for everyone, but that's why they're called "cult" films! Watching this horror-comedy again after 20 years, I was amazed at how fresh and funny it still is. The DVD is great, offering a first-ever widescreen transfer and bonus features that explore the film and its still-devoted following. The highlight, though, is a commentary by Chucky himself, in which he discusses some of his better kills in the film. (If you're not laughing just at the thought of that, this release isn't for you.)

Other anniversary editions:

• "Touch of Evil" (Universal): This beautiful 50th anniversary set includes three versions of the great Orson Welles thriller, bonus features galore and a re-creation of the 54-page memo Welles wrote to the studio to demand changes.

• "Sleeping Beauty" (Disney): The animated classic returns in a lavish two-disc set.

• "Risky Business" (Warner): Unlike most 1980s teen films, "Risky Business" still holds up. I loved watching Tom Cruise's awkward screen tests.

Reissues, box sets

When Francis Ford Coppola's "Godfather" trilogy first came out on DVD back in 2001, many fans thought the movies looked too soft and grainy. That was rectified this year with "The Godfather: The Coppola Restoration" (Paramount), a new box set with painstakingly restored versions of the first two films and a remastered edition of the third. The results are stunning. On top of that, the set includes all the extras from the 2001 release AND a slew of new featurettes about the films and the restoration process. No film buff can refuse this release.

Other re-issues:

• "Zodiac" (Paramount): This two-disc "director's cut" DVD supplements David Fincher's masterful crime drama with a full serving of equally good extras.

• "High and Low" (Criterion Collection): Akira Kurosawa's 1963 crime flick shines on this two-disc set.

• "Sunset Boulevard" (Paramount): The "centennial collection" reissue of Billy Wilder's pitch-black comedy does the movie justice.