TV's new generation of flat-screens and high-definition displays was made for pretty pictures. So let's catch up with some recent DVDs that answer duty's call.

* "Baraka" (MPI Media, not rated, $29.98 DVD, $34.98 on Blu-ray Disc).

No question this is the one to beat when it comes to picture quality. Ron Fricke's 1992 documentary -- a follow-up to his time-lapse IMAX film, "Chronos" -- is described as a "non-verbal feature" in that it has no narration nor subtitles. It speaks volumes, though, about the world we live in. The title is Middle Eastern for the "in-dwelling spiritual force," and it was by virtue of exploring the planet's variety of religious pursuits that Fricke gained access to some 24 countries on six continents to record in spectacular detail everything from devotional services in Israel and Tibet to a forbidden "monkey ritual" somewhere in Cambodia.

For this video re-issue, the 70mm film was restored from the camera negative, then scanned as a high-definition master file via the first-ever 8K UltraDigital data transfer. The resulting picture is wonderfully crisp and vivid on DVD, but the Blu-ray Disc version is simply enthralling. Its lossless, multi-channel stereo track of music and ambient sounds is frosting on the experience of a first-class, whirlwind tour of unbelievable sights.

* "The New World" Extended Cut (Warner Home Video, not rated, $24.95).

American filmmaker Terrence Malick is a uniquely visual storyteller. In his most beautiful and rewarding movies, like "Days of Heaven" and "The Thin Red Line," he requires that those seeking plot and drama meet him at least half-way. Malick paints the scenes with utmost care and shows us how people react to events, but often leaves us to connect the dots as to why things happen and what importance they have.

This 2005 epic reconstruction of the legend of John Smith and Pocahontas is no different. It unfolds like a documentary of pre-American colonialists, showing us the growing accretion of good and ill will between some undisciplined European misfits and the Native American primitives. Even without a dramatic center, we are captivated by what the camera sees and the novelty of Malick's "objective" window on the past.

This nearly three-hour edition restores 20 minutes of footage cut from the theatrical release but the bottom line remains much the same. Eventually we want to see some shaping of the story and some logic to the fates of the people we meet. What will inflame impatience in drama-lovers, however, is also loaded with flashes of beauty that should make this DVD well worth the investment for others.

* "The Alps" & "Mystery of the Nile" (Image Entertainment, not rated, Blu-ray Disc $24.98 each).

Both of these films were shot for IMAX theaters using the large-negative cameras to spectacular results. Image Entertainment acquits itself magnificently in bringing them both to high-definition disc. "Mystery of the Nile" is particularly impressive. We watch a team of adventurers led by Pasquale Scaturro set out to sail the Blue Nile's 3,260-mile length by raft and kayak. Along the way, the 2005 film retraces the historical and geological importance of the African river and offers views of some truly spectacular vistas and landmarks.

"The Alps" offers a polar opposite landscape of rugged snow-covered peaks, ice caves and idyllic Swiss valleys. The 2007 film follows a mountain climber named John Harlin III as he attempts to complete the climb of the north face of the Eiger which killed his father 40 years before. Some of the high-contrast vistas display flickering at times, but otherwise the transfer appears flawless. Both 45-minute films have very active surroundsound mixes that add a great deal to spirit of adventure, and both contain "making of" bonuses that are nearly as interesting as the films themselves.

James Bond turns Blu

The first of the ever-popular James Bond films have now entered the high-def sweet-stakes with a mix of older and newer titles from 20th Century-Fox Home Entertainment. The six movies that are new to high-definition video are also available as remastered DVDs, but I would advise loyal fans to hold on until they can spring for the definitive Blu-ray upgrades ($34.94 each at retail).

The older film hits, including the first two in the series, "Dr. No" and "From Russia With Love," haven't looked so bright and colorful since the days of carbon arc projection. Their soundtracks are technically dated, but have a pleasantly vintage presence via the new "lossless" audio mixes.

It's in the newer releases like "Die Another Day" and "Casino Royale" that everyone's favorite British secret agent is given not only the license to kill, but to dazzle, too. Sadly, the ultimate Bond, Sean Connery, was no longer aboard for the series' technical knockouts.

Also in the initial package of releases are "Thunderball," "For Your Eyes Only" and the truly lamentable "Live and Let Die," which has something in it to offend nearly every viewer.

Player compatibility has been an issue with some Blu-ray owners, including me. Getting up to speed with the latest firmware usually resolves the problem, and gives one security access to not just the Bond antics but a whole treasure-trove of extras. I especially enjoyed a vintage CBC visit with author Ian Fleming, a look back at series producer Harry Saltzman, and a documentary on all the Bond women. There are also "dossiers" and "making of" retrospectives galore, plus enough audio commentaries to keep you busy until retirement.

Not to be overlooked in all the Bond hoopla is a new DVD release starring James Bond that falls outside the sanctioned Fleming franchise. "Casino Royale" Collector's Edition (20th Century-Fox Home Entertainment, not rated, $19.98) was a 1967 effort from independent producer Charles K. Feldman. It started out to be faithful to the Bond book, but fell victim to the swirling madness of the late-1960s and ended up as a spoof-of-a-spoof.

It has a great period look that may have inspired the "Austin Powers" take-offs decades later, and a terrific soundtrack by Burt Bacharach. The comedy stars Peter Sellers, Woody Allen, David Niven, William Holden and several other big-name stars, many of them playing characters named James Bond. While this is not its first time on DVD, this collector's edition has a wealth of extras, including a commentary track and a multi-part documentary on what went wrong "behind the scenes."

James Bond inspired lots of satires on screens both big and small before "Austin Powers." In the 1960s, Mel Brooks created one of the silliest for primetime TV, and that effort came full circle this year with the big-screen adaptation, "Get Smart" (Warner Home Video, rated PG, DVD $28.98, Blu-ray Disc $35.99).

Funnyman Steve Carell took over the Don Adams role of the dense novice agent Maxwell Smart, and the film takes a long time putting him together with impossibly sexy Anne Hathaway as Agent 99. Director Peter Segal fills the supporting cast with more than competent actors like Alan Arkin and James Caan, but the result seemed forced to me. They all appeared to be missing the spirit of zaniness -- though perhaps it was my fault for seeking madness from Hollywood's method actors.

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