For years, all of my Blu-ray posts have been designed to help make a comparative decision as to whether the double-dip (or sometimes first release) of a title is worth your money.

While guesting on an episode of The CriterionCast, I coined the term "Blu-grade" (I think) to describe the process of a title arriving on (or making a repeat appearance) on the HD format of kings. Some are true upgrades, while some are terribly lackluster, and yet others are so light on any compelling incentive to re-purchase that I want to shout it from the rooftops as soon as possible.

All posts in this category will include comparative data in addition to my verdict on whether it's worth it or not so that you can make your decision based on a composite measurement as you see fit.

All these posts (past, present, and future) are now tagged Blu-grade and linked in the sidebar site-wide.

Your Top Shelf is where your best and favorite things sit. Top Shelf Discs is a new recurring category on Arthouse Cowboy that is designed to give special recognition to the best of the best in the realm of physical media.

Even if it isn't packed with extras, or the surviving film elements do not allow a crystal-clear and flawless restoration, these are the best Blu-rays and DVDs (yes, DVDs) out there. They are the ones I find to be most worth your time and money in an age when both of those resources are in decline for many of us.

I'll be digging back into my archives and adding titles I've reviewed extensively in the past to this listing too. Watch for that.

You can also find all Top Shelf Discs posts in the sidebar as well.

Archived posts in all categories need a generous amount of reformatting work that will progress as I am able.

(While I was at it, I also threw in a link for Criterion Collected, my ongoing series of articles about Criterion.)

In related news, my review of the Singin' in the Rain Blu-ray is imminent.