Must-have Blu-rays for the holidays

The latest crop of Blu-ray discs includes some of the biggest blockbusters of this year and re-mastered classics from years past, ranging from the latest "Star Trek" epic to classics like "North by Northwest" and "The Wizard of Oz."

Before we begin, just a quick note: Yes, list prices for Blu-ray videos remain outrageously high, but you'll find deeply discounted deals if you shop online (and particularly at Amazon and Walmart.com, which are locked in an online price war).

So, here we go, in no particular order...

Heat (1995)
One of the best films of the 90s always looked a little so-so on DVD (I'm thinking specifically of the edge-enhanced scene at the deserted, weed-infested drive-in), so I'm happy to see that a re-mastered version (supervised by director Michael Mann) of this three-hour, self-proclaimed "crime saga" has just arrived on Blu-ray. Personally, I can't wait to hear what the famous, all-out gun battle in download L.A. sounds like in Dolby TrueHD.

Star Trek (2009)
The fading franchise (anyone here see "Nemesis"? ugh) got a much-needed jolt of adrenaline thanks to this bright, fast and funny reboot. I saw the new "Star Trek" at New York's massive Ziegfeld in digital projection, and it looked and sounded specular, so something tells me that the "Star Trek" Blu-ray might soon be the go-to disc for Blu-ray aficionados looking to wow their skeptical guests.

Star Trek: The Original Series (1966-69)
Once you're done feasting your eyes on the new Kirk and Spock, check out the originals, now lovingly restored on Blu-ray—all three seasons, with season 3 due this month—complete with revamped HD effects and DTS-HD Master Audio sound. (Don't worry, purists: You can watch the episodes with the classic effects and mono sound intact, if you wish.) I've checked out some of the Season 2 Blu-ray episodes (which, along with seasons 1 and 3, were re-mastered from the original 35mm source material), and they look stunningly good ... that is, as long as you don't mind noticing the foam rocks on the surface of Rigel VII or the telltale scuff marks in the Enterprise hallways.

Up (2009)
A new, animated masterpiece from Pixar is always a sure-fire bet on Blu-ray; last year, we had "Wall-E," and this year we've got "Up." Expect razor-sharp visuals, vivid color (especially if you saw "Up" in 3-D, which tends to wash out the image), and punchy sound.

North by Northwest (1956)
Maybe not the best of Hitchcock's films (that honor probably lies with "Vertigo,") but arguably the most thrilling, "North by Northwest" delivers two of the most iconic sequences in film history—the chase on Mount Rushmore, and the unforgettable crop-duster attack—not to mention a pulse-pumping score and a crackerjack performance by the great Cary Grant. The DVD of "North by Northwest" (which was originally shot in "VistaVision," a high-quality, low-grain 35mm format) was pretty solid, but the new Blu-ray version is earning raves for its "crisp, dimensional, utterly pleasing viewing experience." I'm trading up.

The Wizard of Oz (1939)
I'll just come out and say it: I've never seen "The Wizard of Oz," but now I've got the perfect excuse to catch up. This 70th anniversary Blu-ray edition of the classic boasts a brand-new, 4K transfer from the original Technicolor negative, a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 soundtrack (again, you can always opt for the original mono sound), and (in the "Ultimate Collector's Edition," anyway) more extras than you could shake a winged monkey at.

Gone with the Wind (1949)
The original blockbuster (still second only to "Star Wars" after adjusting for inflation), "Gone with the Wind" is getting a lavish, four-disc Blu-ray release, complete with new audio commentaries, another sterling 4K video transfer, a DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack (and yes, the original mono track is also available), and a hardcover 52-page commemorative book.

Fight Club (1999)
Love it or hate it (I absolutely hated it at the time, but I grudgingly admire it now), "Fight Club" is undeniably one of the seminal movies of the 90s, in no small part thanks to the thudding Dust Brothers soundtrack and eye-popping visuals (the swirling journey through Edward Norton's panicked neurons, the penguin in the ice cave, the apartment that turns into a living Ikea ad). The jam-packed special edition of "Fight Club" was one of the most sought-after DVDs ever, and I'm expecting no less from the 10th anniversary (has it really been 10 years?) Blu-ray, now with four audio commentaries and DTS-HD Master Audio sound.

What's on your list of must-have Blu-rays for the holidays?