The process of getting some films to standard definition has been laborious. Only after eleven years of the format are we getting – say – Sam Fuller’s White Dog, whilst a number of films are still on the waiting line to receive any sort of release, be it on Blu-Ray, SD, or video – for that matter. We have hit a crisis, there’s too much stuff, and with piracy what it is, it may be easier for some films to fall into ether. So it goes.

So when Universal announced Hulk and Casino for Blu-ray, I was overjoyed. These aren’t hard to find film – it’s not even as if Universal has announced some Lubitsh or Preston Struges, but so it goes.

Ang Lee’s 2003 film Hulk got the shit kicked out of it, and I’m assuming many of you reading this aren’t fans. Fair enough. Ang Lee made his Marnie, and that’s one of Hitchcock’s most polarizing films. Eric Bana stars as Bruce Banner, who works with ex-girlfriend Betty (Jennifer Connelly) in research. Just like his father (Nick Notle), who tested on himself and his son. But Bruce doesn’t remember that entirely. Betty’s dad is General Ross (Sam Elliot) and after an accident causes Bruce to Hulk out, Ross becomes involved, as does his father and Ross Talbot (Josh Lucas), who sees great benefit to the research they’re doing, and still has a flame for Betty.

Ang Lee doesn’t approach this film as a huge fan of Spielberg and Lucas, and I think that’s where the drama comes in. Instead, it’s an ILM film that has the vision of someone more interested in poetry than prose. And so sequences are more meant t excite without great interest in the same sort of propulsion. But if you can’t get joy in your heart (or your lap) when Hulk starts fighting tanks, when he flies, when he goes into orbit… man. I don’t get it. This is a beautiful film, about a Fruedian drama between father and son, who much wrestle with each other (in this case literally) to establish autonomy, but also to be a free sexual being. It’s a great film, and I recommend it highly.

Universal presents the film in widescreen (1.78:1) and in 5.1 DTS HD. Extras include a PIP derived from previous DVD content, and a commentary by Ang Lee. Also included are six deleted scenes (6 min.), a four part making of (24 min.), “Evolution of the Hulk” (16 min.) on the comic book.  “The Incredible Ang Lee” (14 min.) speaks to the film’s talented director, and “The Dog Fight Scene” (10 min.) goes into the film’s weakest actions set piece. “The Unique Style of Editing Hulk” (6 min.) gets into the awesome work of Tim Squyres.

Another underrated film in its time of release, I think it’s fair to say in the interim, Martin Scorsese’s Casino has gotten some heat, I think partly because though at the time people were disappointed that it wasn’t Goodfellas, but I think home video has made this a favorite because it’s the ultimate Vegas movie. Robert De Niro stars as Samuel “Ace” Rothstein, who is sent to Vegas to run the Tangiers with the help of his old friend and thug Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci). While in Vegas he falls in love with Ginger (Sharon Stone) a famous hustler with a sleazy ex-boyfriend named Lester Brown (James Woods). Eventually all the forces of their personality, from Nicky’s joy in being a criminal, to Ace’s inability to not take pride in his work, to Ginger’s drug abuse and empty marriage, everything comes to the fore as a possibility as fo their eventual downfall.

Casino is a piece about the end of things. The truth is presented, but it also suggests that everyone involved is aware of their culpability. It’s also about indulgence, so you get a three hour film that gets a bit bogged down in the middle hour. But just he same, his is Scorsese firing on all cylinders, and working with Robert Richardson as his DP. It’s a phenomenal film that may play better at home than it did in the theater due to being able to take min-breaks and such. But in the years since it’s release, I’ll say this much: I can’t stop watching this film.

Universal presents Casino in widescreen (2.35:1) and in 5.1 DTS HD. Oh my goodness, such a great transfer. There’s also a PIP track which is a cut up documentary from the earlier release that’s bit erratic, and that’s disappointing considering the length of the film. There’s a selected commentary by Scorsese, with Thelma Schoonmaker, screenwriter Nicholas Pileggi, Sharon Stone and man of the support staff. There’s also three deleted scenes (5 min.), “Vegas and the Mob” (14 min.) from NBC from the time of release, and “History Alive: True Crime Authors: Casino with Nicholas Pileggi” (44 min.) where you can watch actors from dinner theater enact scenes from the film.