WATCH: Blu-ray Weekend

Blu-ray is the latest, greatest way to watch videos at home. When hooked up to a large high-definition television set and a high-quality sound system, the overall experience is all it’s touted to be. If you’re trying to decide whether to purchase one, go for it! Or do what I did: visit really good friends who have a new Blu-ray and have a wonderful time! then, put it on your Christmas list!

We spent the weekend watching The Wages of Fear, an unbelievably intense black and white French film from 1954, recently restored and reissued on the Criterion Collection. We continued with The Godfather, Parts I and II. (We only got 15 minutes into Part III and fled the room!) Next up: Master and Commander, Planet Earth, Iron Man and The Dark Knight.

Biggest surprise? Iron Man, which we all found fun, especially the droll performance of Robert Downey, Jr. It had lots of stuff blowing up, too, and the sound went right through us. And the episodes of Planet Earth, the BBC series narrated by David Attenborough, were stunning.

Blu-ray will turn your living room into a great place to watch movies. Don't forget the popcorn!