Tuesday 30 December 2008

VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #??

Guitar Hero World Tour - Complete Band
Game bundled with instrument peripherals including lead guitar, bass guitar, drums and microphone

Platform: Wii
Region: UK (PAL)
Developer: Vicarious Visions
Publisher: Activision
Retail Release: 14/11/2008

VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #??

Zack & Wiki: Quest For Barbaros' Treasure

Platform: Wii
Region: UK (PAL)
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Retail Release: 18/1/2008

Thursday 25 December 2008

VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #??

Ghost Squad

Platform: Wii
Region: UK (PAL)
Developer: Polygon Magic
Publisher: Sega
Retail Release: 18/1/2008

VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #??

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed

Platform: Wii
Region: UK (PAL)
Developer: Krome Studios
Publisher: LucasArts
Retail Release: 19/9/2008

VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #??

Lego Batman

Platform: Wii
Region: UK (PAL)
Developer: Traveller's Tales
Publisher: Warner Bros. & DC Comics
Retail Release: 10/10/2008

VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #??

Wii Music

Platform: Wii
Region: UK (PAL)
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Retail Release: 14/11/2008

VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #??

Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga

Platform: Wii
Region: UK (PAL)
Developer: Traveller's Tales
Publisher: LucasArts
Retail Release: 16/11/2007

VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #??

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

Platform: Wii
Region: UK (PAL)
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Retail Release: 8/12/2006

Tuesday 23 December 2008

Sunday 21 December 2008

THE OXFORD MURDERS ***

Spain/UK/France: Alex de la Iglesia, 2008

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Thursday 18 December 2008

ELIZABETH ***

UK: Shekhar Kapur, 1998

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VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #??

Battalion Wars II

Platform: Wii
Region: UK (PAL)
Developer: Kuju Entertainment
Publisher: Nintendo
Retail Release: 15/2/2008

Tuesday 16 December 2008

Monday 15 December 2008

Sunday 14 December 2008

Saturday 13 December 2008

VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #??

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption

Platform: Wii
Region: UK (PAL)
Developer: Retro Studios
Publisher: Nintendo
Retail Release: 26/10/2007

Monday 1 December 2008

Saturday 29 November 2008

BURN AFTER READING **½

USA/UK/France: Ethan Coen and Joel Coen, 2008

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(*) GOODFELLAS *****

USA: Martin Scorsese, 1990

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Sunday 23 November 2008

Thursday 30 October 2008

Wednesday 29 October 2008

FIVE DOLLS FOR AN AUGUST MOON **

Original Title: 5 bambole per la luna d'agosto
Italy: Mario Bava, 1970

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Saturday 25 October 2008

(*) BLACK BOOK ****½

Original Title: Zwartboek
Netherlands/Germany/Belgium: Paul Verhoeven, 2006

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Tuesday 21 October 2008

THE INNER LIFE OF MARTIN FROST **

Spain/Portugal/France/USA: Paul Auster, 2007

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Monday 20 October 2008

Sunday 19 October 2008

THE BIRDS ****

USA: Alfred Hitchcock, 1963

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Sunday 12 October 2008

SEVEN DEATHS IN THE CAT'S EYE **½

Original Title: La Morte negli occhi del gatto
France/Italy/West Germany: Antonio Margheriti, 1973

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Friday 10 October 2008

KINGDOM OF HEAVEN ***

UK/Spain/USA/Germany: Ridley Scott, 2005

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Wednesday 8 October 2008

(*) WHEN HARRY MET SALLY ****

USA: Rob Reiner, 1989

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VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #??

FIFA 09 All-Play (Sold)

Platform: Wii
Region: UK (PAL)
Developer: EA
Publisher: EA
Retail Release: 3/10/2008

Sunday 5 October 2008

[REC] **½

Spain: Jaume Balaguero and Paco Plaza, 2007

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Friday 26 September 2008

Thursday 18 September 2008

VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #??

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Platform: Wii
Region: UK (PAL)
Developer: Sora, Game Arts and Monolith Soft
Publisher: Nintendo
Retail Release: 27/6/2008

VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #??

Smarty Pants

Platform: Wii
Region: UK (PAL)
Developer: Planet Moon Studios
Publisher: EA
Retail Release: 23/11/2007

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Today, I am 29 years-old. Old and getting older.

Sunday 14 September 2008

AN AMERICAN HAUNTING *½

UK/Canada/Romania/USA: Courtney Solomon, 2005

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24 - SEASON 5

USA: Various Directors, 2006 (Created by Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran)

The fifth season of 24 has an excellent opening half as per usual but then the ridiculous plot contrivances again surface. Sadly, this time to almost show ruining levels as they involve the most unbelievable character arc, concerning President Charles Logan, yet witnessed in this silly but compulsively entertaining series.

Score: 7/10

Saturday 6 September 2008

VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #??

Super Mario Galaxy

Platform: Wii
Region: UK (PAL)
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Retail Release: 16/11/2007

VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #??

WarioWare: Smooth Moves

Platform: Wii
Region: UK (PAL)
Developer: Nintendo and Intelligent Systems
Publisher: Nintendo
Retail Release: 12/1/2007

Saturday 30 August 2008

Friday 29 August 2008

DEATH CARRIES A CANE ***

Original Title: Passi di danza su una lama di rasoio
Italy/Spain: Maurizio Pradeaux, 1973

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Thursday 28 August 2008

THE PROWLER **½

aka: Rosemary's Killer
USA: Joseph Zito, 1981

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Tuesday 26 August 2008

THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE **

USA: Jonathan Demme, 2004

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THE UGLIEST WOMAN IN THE WORLD **½

Original Title: La Mujer más fea del mundo
Spain: Miguel Bardem, 1999

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MADAGASCAR ***

USA: Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath, 2005

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Thursday 21 August 2008

Monday 18 August 2008

Monday 11 August 2008

VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #??

Mario Party 8

Platform: Wii
Region: UK (PAL)
Developer: Hudson Soft
Publisher: Nintendo
Retail Release: 22/6/2007

Sunday 10 August 2008

DOOMSDAY **½

UK/USA/South Africa/Germany: Neil Marshall, 2008

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Friday 1 August 2008

VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #??

The House of the Dead 2 & 3 Return (Traded in)

Platform: Wii
Region: UK (PAL)
Developer: Sega
Publisher: Sega
Retail Release: 28/3/2008

Wednesday 30 July 2008

VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #8

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games

Platform: Wii
Region: UK (PAL)
Developer: Sega
Publisher: Nintendo
Retail Release: 23/11/2007

VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #7

Endless Ocean

Platform: Wii
Region: UK (PAL)
Developer: Arika
Publisher: Nintendo
Retail Release: 9/11/2007

ON YOUR MARKS, READY, SET... DIVE!

I picked up a couple more games for my Nintendo Wii today. The titles I decided upon after much deliberation are Endless Ocean from my Wishlist and Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games. I'm looking forward to losing myself in a unique single-player experience with the first game and some frantic Wii remote shaking multi-player fun with the second.

I guess Medal of Honor 2: Heroes will have to wait as I couldn't find it in stock anywhere.

Saturday 26 July 2008

Sunday 20 July 2008

Saturday 19 July 2008

Wednesday 16 July 2008

IN BRUGES ****

UK/Belgium: Martin McDonagh, 2008

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Monday 14 July 2008

Sunday 13 July 2008

Saturday 12 July 2008

Thursday 10 July 2008

Wednesday 9 July 2008

INDY ADVENTURES ON DVD

Today I received the Indiana Jones Adventure Collection from Hmv.

Tuesday 8 July 2008

CASSANDRA'S DREAM **½

USA/UK/France: Woody Allen, 2007

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TEETH **

USA: Mitchell Lichtenstein, 2007

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MY WISHLIST

Listed here, in no particular order, are the items very much on my radar to purchase over the coming months.

1) PURCHASED Apple iPod Classic 80GB.

2) PURCHASED Super Smash Bros. Brawl - Nintendo Wii.

3) PURCHASED Endless Ocean - Nintendo Wii.

4) PURCHASED Sony RDR-HXD870 DVD Recorder 160GB HDD/Freeview Tuner.

5) Oppo DV-980H 1080p Upscaling DVD Player. - no longer wanted (PS3 catering to my needs).

6) Sony BDP-S500 Blu-Ray Disc Player - 1080p Full HD. - no longer wanted (PS3 catering to my needs).

7) PURCHASED Medal of Honour: Heroes 2 - Nintendo Wii.

8) PURCHASED Mario Party 8 - Nintendo Wii.

9) PURCHASED David Cronenberg: Interviews with Serge Grünberg.

10) PURCHASED Cronenberg on Cronenberg.

11) Wii Fit Balance Board Silicon Covers, Mats and battery charger. - no longer wanted (made do with the silicon cover only).

12. Wii Remote Control re-charger pack. - no longer wanted (re-chargable battery pack and batteries catering to my needs).

13. PURCHASED Sony Playstation 3.

Monday 7 July 2008

Saturday 5 July 2008

Thursday 3 July 2008

(*) JUNO ****½

USA/Canada: Jason Reitman, 2007

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Wednesday 2 July 2008

VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #6

Wii Fit
Game bundled with Wii Balance Board peripheral

Platform: Wii
Region: UK (PAL)
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Retail Release: 25/4/2008

TIME TO WORKOUT

My copy of Wii Fit and balance board was delivered today. My decision to pick-up a Wii console was influenced by the potential for fun and fitness offered by this unique game. I've only had a chance to do the body test and a few activities so far but let's just say I'm impressed - if a little crest fallen at finding out just how out of shape I am, lol!

Sunday 29 June 2008

VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #5

Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 (Sold)

Platform: Wii
Region: UK (PAL)
Developer: Konami
Publisher: Konami
Retail Release: 28/3/2008

HE SHOOTS, HE SCORES!

Another day and another shopping trip with the lady. This time it was Bluewater Shopping Centre in Kent and my game-related reward was Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 on the Wii. Again, this is a game series I'm looking forward to getting into again having played previous Pro Evo games on both Xbox and Playstation. Actually, my favourite iteration of Konami's vision of beautiful game was International Superstar Soccer '98 back on the Nintendo 64.

This game also has online play capabilities so let's hit the training ground.

Saturday 28 June 2008

VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #4

Mario Kart Wii
Game bundled with Wii Steering Wheel peripheral

Platform: Wii
Region: UK (PAL)
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Retail Release: 11/4/2008

3,2,1... RACE!

Spent the day shopping in London with the girlfriend in today. As my reward I was treated to Mario Kart Wii. Oh yes, I look forward to re-acquainting myself with a true Nintendo classic and it's got online play.

I'm off to do a few practice laps.

Wednesday 25 June 2008

VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #3

Wii Play
Game bundled with extra Wii Remote controller accessory

Platform: Wii
Region: UK (PAL)
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Retail Release: 8/12/2006

VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #2

Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures (Completed)
Game bundled with Nintendo Wii games console (in-store offer)

Platform: Wii
Region: UK (PAL)
Developer: Traveller's Tales
Publisher: LucasArts
Retail Release:
17/6/2008

VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #1

Wii Sports (Completed)
Game bundled with Nintendo Wii games console

Platform: Wii
Region: UK (PAL)
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Retail Release: 8/12/2006

I CAN'T STOP WII-ING!

I finally succumbed to the lure of next gen consoles and bought a Nintendo Wii bundled with Wii Sports and Lego Indiana Jones from HMV today. Also picked up Wii Play an extra nunchuck and the classic control pad.

Let's get urinating, I mean playing...

DVD DOUBLE!

Inside: Unrated and Cassandra's Dream arrived from DVD Pacific this morning.

Monday 23 June 2008

THE SOPRANOS - SEASON 6: THE FINAL EPISODES

USA: Various Directors, 2007 (Created by David Chase)

I've watched the last ever episode of THE SOPRANOS...

All good things come to end and for me, THE SOPRANOS has been very good indeed. It is simply, the epitome of 'quality TV' and the greatest US television drama I am ever likely to see. The finale of the last ever season didn't quite capture the sublime highs of previous seasons, nevertheless I respect the conclusion created by the show's writers and I walk away satisfied at not getting cheated out of a resolution. No doubt I will return to this fantastic drama series in the years to come and cherish it as one of the most enjoyable and profound television experiences I have ever had.

Score: 8/10

MUST HAVE TV ON DVD!

The Simpsons Series 8 arrived from play.com

Sunday 22 June 2008

HARSH TIMES **

USA: David Ayer, 2005

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JU-ON: THE CURSE 2 (TV) **½

Original Title: Ju-on 2
Japan: Takashi Shimizu, 2000

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MEAN GIRLS ***

USA: Mark Waters, 2004

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Saturday 21 June 2008

JU-ON: THE CURSE (TV) ***

Original Title: Ju-on
Japan: Takashi Shimizu, 2000

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Monday 16 June 2008

THE RING TWO ***

USA: Hideo Nakata, 2005

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(*) RING 2 ***

Original Title: Ringu 2
Japan: Hideo Nakata, 1999

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Friday 13 June 2008

Thursday 12 June 2008

SCARY MOVIE 3 **

USA: David Zucker, 2003

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ALMODOVAR ON ALMODOVAR

Finished reading the updated edition of Almodovar on Almodovar today. Bit insubstantial and sycophantic in places to be perfectly honest. However, Almodovar is very candid in interviews and happy to talk about several aspects of his life and work. Still to see Bad Education and Volver.

Score: 7/10

Wednesday 11 June 2008

Sunday 8 June 2008

(*) THE RING ****

USA/Japan: Gore Verbinski, 2002

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Friday 6 June 2008

DVD INCOMING

The Ring: Collector's Edition UK Region 2 arrived from play.com

Tuesday 3 June 2008

THE SOPRANOS - SEASON 6

USA: Various Directors, 2006 (Created by David Chase)

I'm not entirely certain as to why the sixth season of The Sopranos has been split into two distinct parts but I think it adds to the problems in pacing in what is proving to be a quite strange and surprisingly languid finale for one of my favourite television shows of all time.

Score: 7/10

Monday 2 June 2008

Sunday 1 June 2008

(*) RING *****

Original Title: Ringu
Japan: Hideo Nakata, 1998

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Thursday 29 May 2008

CREEP **

UK/Germany: Christopher Smith, 2004

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Wednesday 28 May 2008

THE SCIENCE OF SLEEP **½

Original Title: La Science des rêves
France/Italy: Michel Gondry, 2006

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Tuesday 27 May 2008

Sunday 25 May 2008

Saturday 24 May 2008

Wednesday 21 May 2008

DVD INCOMING

Today, whilst out browsing the cheap DVD offers at the supermarket across from work, I picked up The Thin Red Line. This is a film that I've been meaning to see since it made such an impact with critics back in the late nineties. I'm also keen to see all of Terence Malick's output considering he has been hailed as one of the greatest artists working today and the equal of Stanley Kubrick.

Actually, I've got The New World on my 'to watch' pile, so perhaps I'll have a Malick double bill sometime soon. The visionary director's knack for filming the harsh beauty of nature should look mighty fine on my new LCD TV!

Sunday 18 May 2008

Saturday 17 May 2008

Friday 16 May 2008

BRICK **½

USA: Rian Johnson, 2005

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THE COUNT GOES HD!

This evening I went out and finally bought an LCD HD ready TV. My impulse purchase was fuelled by the fact my old CRT TV had given up the ghost on Thursday night.

After some brief deliberation I plumbed for a Sony KDL32S3000!

Admittedly, I've only got the TV's in-built freeview, my standard definition DVDs and an old Xbox games console to view on my shiny new display but it's a massive audio/visual step up nevertheless. Plus, I wonder how long it will be before I convert completely and get a Blu-Ray HD DVD player, a SD DVD upscaler and a subscription to Sky HD...

Monday 12 May 2008

THE COUNTERFEITERS ****

Original Title: Die Fälscher
Austria/Germany: Stefan Ruzowitzky, 2007

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DVD DEBACLE

Before work today I picked up The Simpsons Movie from Morrisons shopping centre.

Sunday 11 May 2008

MISS CONGENIALITY **

USA/Australia: Donald Petrie, 2000

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Saturday 10 May 2008

DOWNFALL ***½

Original Title: Der Untergang
Germany/Italy/Austria: Oliver Hirschbiegel, 2004

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DVD INCOMING

Bought Miss Congeniality on DVD

Friday 9 May 2008

MOTHER OF TEARS ***

Original Title: La Terza madre
Italy/USA: Dario Argento, 2007

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Sunday 4 May 2008

Saturday 3 May 2008

(*) EASTERN PROMISES ****

UK/Canada/USA: David Cronenberg, 2007

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DVD DEBACLE

101 Dalmations, Peter Pan and Crusing arrived from DVD Pacific without any customs charges woopee!

Friday 2 May 2008

Saturday 26 April 2008

RENDITION ***

USA: Gavin Hood, 2007

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THE BLACK DAHLIA **½

Germany/USA: Brian De Palma, 2006

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RUN FAT BOY RUN **

UK/USA: David Schwimmer, 2007

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DVD COLLECTION # ??

Mother of Tears (2007)
Original Title: La Terza Madre
SD DVD

Director: Dario Argento
DVD Release: 21/4/2008
Region: 2 (UK)
Label: Optimum

Friday 25 April 2008

DVD IMPULSE

This evening my girlfriend embarked on one of her impulse buys and brought home the UK release of Rendition.

Saturday 19 April 2008

BLACK BOOK ****½

Original Title: Zwartboek
Netherlands/Germany/Belgium: Paul Verhoeven, 2006

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FAMILY BUSINESS **

USA: Sidney Lumet, 1989

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DVD DEBACLE

Received Apocalypto and Runaway Jury, Family Business and A Class Act in post.

Friday 18 April 2008

THE FANTASIST **½

Ireland: Robin Hardy, 1986

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DVD GOODIES AHOY!

Arrivals today are The Ultimate Bourne Collection Boxset, Once courtesy of HMV online and my final disc from eBay Black Book.

Thursday 17 April 2008

Wednesday 16 April 2008

SUPER SIZE ME ***

USA: Morgan Spurlock, 2004

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CLOVERFIELD ***½

USA: Matt Reeves, 2008

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DVD INCOMING... AGAIN!

Two more DVDs arrived in the post this morning following my latest shopping spree over at eBay. The bargains I managed to snag that are ready and waiting to be watched on my shelves are Metrodome's UK release of The Counterfeiters directed by Stefan Ruzowitzky (winner of the Best Foreign Language Film at the recent Oscars back in February) and Pathé's UK release of David Cronenberg's Eastern Promises. The first is a blind buy and one that I'm very keen to watch, based perhaps erroneously on how much I enjoyed the previous Best Foreign Language Film winner The Lives of Others. As for Eastern Promises it is a film I've watched once before but that was not a perfect experience due to an absence of subtitles. However, I certainly saw enough to know this was another solid thriller from one of my favourite directors, can't wait to see that naked bathhouse fight sequence again.

More DVDs goodies still to come...

Tuesday 15 April 2008

SUPERBAD ***

USA: Greg Mottola, 2007

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DVD INCOMING

Recently, I took a quick look around eBay and I won auctions for a number of DVDs. The first of which arrived promptly this morning and it is Entertainment In Video's UK release of Brian De Palma's The Black Dahlia. This film seems to have been largely panned on its theatrical release and is often accused of being rather too much surface over substance. Sounds like a Brian De Palma film to me and for my money I'm still willing to give the disc a spin as any recent Brian De Palma film is better than most of the uninspired trite served up by the mainstream Hollywood studios.

I'll post my thoughts on the film once I've had a chance to take a look at the disc properly.

GREAT EXPECTATIONS ****

UK: David Lean, 1946

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SCORSESE ON SCORSESE

Late last night I finished reading the revised edition of Scorsese On Scorsese. One the very best releases in the Faber and Faber Directors series. Scorsese was one of the first directors I took note of back in the day when I was starting to understand the role of a film director. His films have given me countless hours of entertainment and contemplation. Thankfully, as he is such a prolific director I still have several of his films to see in the years to come.

Score: 9/10

Monday 14 April 2008

THE SOPRANOS - SEASON 5

USA: Various Directors, 2004 (David Chase)

Another superb season of this excellent familial drama.

Score: 10/10

GOOD LUCK CHUCK *½

USA/Canada: Mark Helfrich, 2007

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BACK TO 1979!

This morning I settled down and watched the 51st Academy Awards.

THE MIST ***

USA: Frank Darabont, 2007

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Saturday 12 April 2008

SYMPATHY FOR LADY VENGEANCE ***

Original Title: Chinjeolhan geumjassi
South Korea: Chan-wook Park, 2005

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Friday 11 April 2008

(*) THE GODFATHER: PART III ****

USA: Francis Ford Coppola, 1990

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THE BURNING ***

USA/Canada: Tony Maylam, 1981

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DVD DEBACLE

My day began with a brisk walk to the local Royal Mail depot to collect a package. The goods in question were my latest purchases on DVD courtesy of DVD Pacific in the US. Sensing an eighties style horror kick a few weeks back, I splashed out on the very reasonably priced Region 1 releases of THE PROWLER and THE BURNING from Blue Underground and MGM respectively. To complete my order I also picked up Anchor Bay's 2-disc edition of RE-ANIMATOR.

Unfortunately, upon arriving at the depot I had to pay a rather hefty customs charge (£8.00 of which was the Royal Mail's own handling charge) and am therefore feeling what once was a bargain has been scuppered unnecessarily. You see the total cost of the DVDs are under £18 and should therefore be eligible for import into the EU without any customs charges. This is beginning to be a rather annoying pattern as at least 3 other orders from DVD Pacific I've received in recent months have been similarly charged incorrectly. I can only imagine the total amount in dollars written on the box is conveniently being read as pounds by the customs people. Anyway, this time I'm not going to write of the charge as a loss, so I'm off to post a letter to HMS Customs to try and reclaim my cash. Fingers crossed I am successful.

Otherwise can anyone suggest another online DVD retailer in the States that they have imported DVDs from without this problem.

*Update, April 4th, 2008 13:23pm*: After checking the maths involved with my purchase I've discovered an interesting discrepancy. When I placed my order with DVD Pacific back on March 14th the total cost of my order was under £18. However, when my card was charged and the discs shipped, a mere four days later on the 18th, the prices had been subject to a slight but significant increase. This increase pushed the combined total of the order above £18 and thus the danger of incurring an expensive customs charge was realised. This leaves me baffled as to whether the increase occurred due to fluctuations in the conversion rate between the pound and the dollar or more likely that DVD Pacific often up prices in the interim between order and shipment. Basically, I'm left in a position where I'm unable to reclaim the money I've had to fork out for the charge and I'll have to be more vigilant of this practice in the future.

Thursday 10 April 2008

(*) THE GODFATHER: PART II *****

USA: Francis Ford Coppola, 1974

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SYMPATHY FOR MR. VENGEANCE ***

Original Title: Boksuneun naui geot
South Korea: Chan-wook Park, 2002

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Wednesday 9 April 2008

Sunday 6 April 2008

GOING TO THE SEASIDE!

Road trip to Dorset beckons as the good lady and I set off for a few days break.

Saturday 5 April 2008

Sunday 30 March 2008

Saturday 29 March 2008

EASTERN PROMISES ****

UK/Canada/USA: David Cronenberg, 2007

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CONTROL ****

UK/USA/Australia/Japan: Anton Corbijn, 2007

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Friday 28 March 2008

IN THE CUT *½

Australia/USA/UK: Jane Campion, 2003

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Thursday 27 March 2008

Monday 24 March 2008

Saturday 22 March 2008

THE ORPHANAGE ***½

Original Title: El Orfanato
Mexico/Spain: Juan Antonio Bayona, 2007

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BARON BLOOD

Original Title: Gil Orrori del castello di Norimberga
West Germany/Italy: Mario Bava, 1972

(Tim Lucas commentary listened to on my MP3 player)

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This is another solid effort from Bava obsessive, Tim Lucas. Baron Blood maybe minor Bava but it is still a film that entertains and manages in places to evoke his previous gothic masterpieces Black Sunday, Black Sabbath and Kill Baby Kill. Tim Lucas' audio commentary is full of his customary facts and anecdotes about the making of the film. Again, Lucas' research is first class and where possible he has spoken directly to all the key cast and crew members. Specifically, Lucas highlights the significant rise in production value evident in Baron Blood and that this is testimony to producer Alfredo Leone, who ensured that all the money that was spent was seen on screen.

However, much like the film he describes, this track from Tim Lucas resides somewhere in the middle of his commentary output. The occasional periods of 'dead air' are present once more and I maintain that Lucas' delivery style is rather monotone and rehearsed. Although, this is nitpicking on my part as I believe Tim Lucas to be one of the very best purveyors of the audio commentary working today.

Commentary Rating: 7/10

Friday 21 March 2008

(*) SERENITY ****

USA: Joss Whedon, 2005

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(*) THE SOPRANOS - SEASON 4

USA: Various Directors, 2002 (Created by David Chase)

Watched season 4 as part of my re-watching of The Sopranos in order to bring my girlfriend up to speed before we watch the final couple of seasons. Again, it reminded me of how good The Sopranos actually is at doing proper adult drama. Perfect.

Score: 10/10

THE CASE OF THE SCORPION'S TAIL ***½

Original Title: La Coda dello scorpione
Italy/Spain: Sergio Martino, 1971

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SHADOW OF A DOUBT ***½

USA: Alfred Hitchcock, 1943

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WORLD TRADE CENTER **½

USA: Oliver Stone, 2006

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Wednesday 19 March 2008

SLITHER ***

Canada/USA: James Gunn, 2006

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Tuesday 18 March 2008

DVD INCOMING

The region 2 UK release of Robin Hardy's The Fantasist arrived in the post from Amazon today.

Thursday 13 March 2008

INTERGRATE THE POWER SUPPLY AT SOURCE

Hooray, I can use a computer! Passed my QTS Skills Tests in ICT. Revising was hardly necessary after all as the tests are much easier than anticipated.

Tuesday 11 March 2008

Monday 10 March 2008

(*) RATATOUILLE ****

USA: Brad Bird and Jan Pinkava, 2007

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Saturday 8 March 2008

Saturday 1 March 2008

Friday 29 February 2008

(*) HALLOWEEN *****

USA: John Carpenter, 1978

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BABEL ****

France/USA/Mexico: Alejandro González Iñárritu, 2006

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1,000 DISCORDANT VOICES UNIFIED ON DVD

I give you this grandiose title by way of informing you of my purchase of Babel Region 2 (UK). I picked up Babel for the weekend having previously trying to watch a downloaded version of the film without any subtitles. Not ideal for any film let alone one with a broad thematic canvas taking in a range of different characters based in three different countries across two continents.

I've highly rated both Amores Perros and 21 Grams from director Alejandro González Iñárritu. Thus, I approach this film, his third installment in his loose trilogy revolving around disparate lives being brought together by a random event or crisis, with high level of intrigue.

Saturday 23 February 2008

SWITCHBLADE ROMANCE **½

Original Title: Haute Tension
France: Alexandre Aja, 2003

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Friday 22 February 2008

(*) BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA ****½

USA: John Carpenter, 1986

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MICHAEL CLAYTON ***

USA: Tony Gilroy, 2007

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ATONEMENT *****

UK/France: Joe Wright, 2007

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DVD IMPULSE

As part of the 'Oscar homework' my girlfriend and I are undertaking, she picked up Michael Clayton from W H Smiths on her way home from work.

Wednesday 20 February 2008

CONGRATULATIONS YOU'VE PAST!

Hooray, I'm not thick. Passed my QTS Skills Tests in Literacy and Numeracy. Should have booked ICT as well and completed the hat-trick on the day.

DVD DEBACLE

I ordered Zodiac Director's Cut 2-disc and Hitchcock's Suspicion from DVD Pacific.

Tuesday 19 February 2008

DAWN OF THE DEAD

Italy/USA: George A. Romero, 1978

(George A. Romero, Tom Savini, Christine Romero and moderator Perry Martin commentary listened to on my MP3 player)

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Following on from my sampling of the Night of the Living Dead audio commentary, today I listened to George A. Romero's director's commentary for his masterpiece Dawn of the Dead. Again, this track manages to make you feel as if you are sat in George's front room and watching the film with him. In fact this is a far more entertaining listen whilst retaining the high level of information evident in the Night audio track. Tom Savini takes a lot of the credit for this as his enthusiasm really drives the conversation along and as a listener one is given a taste of the creative freedom and fun the film-makers experienced in the making of the greatest zombie movie of all time.

Commentary Rating: 8/10

A DVD TRIPLE

Today I took delivery of the Region 2 (UK) Them and 24 Hour Party People and the Region 0 (UK) release of Richard III. Again, these discs are courtesy of my girlfriend's online DVD rental company.

Monday 18 February 2008

DVD INCOMING

The region 2 DVD of The Great Gatsby was waiting in my mailbox today.

Sunday 17 February 2008

THE SOPRANOS - SEASON 3

USA: Various Directors, 2001 (Created by David Chase)

So my 'Sopranos marathon' has now seen me reach the climax of season 3. This is probably the second or third time I've seen this season and arguably I've never enjoyed it more. In reflection, I now think of it in superior terms to season 2, which as I've mentioned elsewhere I re-watched expecting great things. Whereas season 2 left me slightly disappointed , season 3 only gets stronger on a return viewing due to its shift in aesthetics. Now onto my re-watch of season 4.

Score: 9/10

NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD

USA: George A. Romero, 1968

(George A. Romero, John Russo, Karl Hardman and Marilyn Eastman commentary listened to on my MP3 player)

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Recently I have been indulging my taste for zombie carnage with a festival of George A. Romero's 'DEAD' Quartet (it is destined to soon become a quintet as March sees the theatrical release of Diary of the Dead). So whilst on my way to and from work today, I managed to listen to the Night 'Zombie Masters' audio commentary on my Apple i-Pod. This is the first time I have listened to an audio commentary by George A. Romero and I was suitably entertained. Whilst I wouldn't say it was one of the best commentary tracks ever, it certainly doesn't match the film's five star rating, I did feel as though I was a guest of George's and the crew, sitting alongside them as we watched this seminal indie horror classic.

Commentary Rating: 7/10

(*) LAND OF THE DEAD ***½

Canada/France/USA: George A. Romero, 2005

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Saturday 16 February 2008

Friday 15 February 2008

Thursday 14 February 2008

VALENTINE'S DAY SEALED WITH A DVD TRIPLE

Well, its Valentine's Day and in amongst the flowers and smooching I've managed to bag copies of Ratatouiile, Zodiac and Atonement.

Tuesday 12 February 2008

A STUDY IN SCARLET

I've reached the end of my third book of 2008. The literary work in question was A Study In Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. This title is notable for being the first ever outing of that most famous of fictional detectives Sherlock Holmes.

Score: 9/10

Sunday 10 February 2008

Saturday 9 February 2008

JUNO ****½

USA/Canada/Hungary: Jason Reitman, 2007

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Friday 8 February 2008

DEAD MAN'S SHOES ****

UK: Shane Meadows, 2004

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HALF NELSON **½

USA: Ryan Fleck, 2006

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A DVD TRIPTYCH

Recent arrivals from my preferred DVD rental service include: Half Nelson, Black Christmas and Before Sunrise

Wednesday 6 February 2008

LA DOLCE MORTE

So we've just entered into February and I've finished my second book of the year. It is La Dolce Morte: Vernacular Cinema and the Italian Giallo Film by Mikel J. Koven. I am grateful to Michael over at the Land of Whimsy for alerting me to this pioneering English-language study of gialli cinema. Well researched and written in an accessible way I would heartily recommend it.

Score: 9/10

Sunday 3 February 2008

THE VANITY SERUM ***

Original Title: Il Siero della vanità
Italy: Alex Infascelli, 2004

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THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS **½

USA: Andy and Larry Wachowski, 2003

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Saturday 2 February 2008

SIN CITY **½

USA: Robert Rodriguez, Frank Miller and Quentin Tarantino, 2005

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Friday 1 February 2008

DEATH PROOF **

USA: Quentin Tarantino, 2007

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Thursday 31 January 2008

Wednesday 30 January 2008

Tuesday 29 January 2008

DVD TO THE POWER OF THREE


Returning from work this evening I was delighted to find a trio of DVDs waiting for me. The discs come courtesy of a DVD online rental company used by my girlfriend. Luckily, we both add titles to our 'wanted list' and two of my choices have appeared at the top of the queue. The films I've managed to obtain copies of are Pedro Almodovar's Law of Desire, Don't Look Now by Nicolas Roeg and finally, Two Weeks Notice directed by Marc Lawrence. I'll let you guess which one you think is my girlfriend's choice.

I must say I'm particularly looking forward to sitting down and watching Don't Look Now, having previously only caught glimpses of the film on television. This is the Region 2 special edition and will undoubtedly present this classic film in a superior presentation to that of which I've seen before. Excellent.

Monday 28 January 2008

LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE

Finding myself mired in a bout of post-Xmas blues I decided to treat myself to Jimmy Carr: Stand Up. I'd won the disc a week or so ago on eBay and was relieved to find it waiting for me, sealed and new, upon returning from work today.

I've always enjoyed live comedy shows and find comedians who can actually make you laugh a rare breed indeed. I'd be rather self-indulgent and too depressive to claim to have more than your normal every day worries, however, like most people I appreciate a good laugh to escape from the daily grind every now and then. Thus, I thought it was the perfect time to complete my Jimmy Carr collection, having previously inherited Jimmy Carr: Live upon moving in with my girlfriend and buying her the new Jimmy Carr: Comedian for Christmas.

Actually, I can thank my girlfriend for getting me into Jimmy Carr in the first place back in 2006. I had always found him mildly amusing when encountering one of his many TV show appearances but once I had watched his first DVD, Jimmy Carr: Live, I was delighted to discover another precious addition to my small number of cherished funny men.

Saturday 26 January 2008

THE RED QUEEN KILLS 7 TIMES ***

Original Title: La Dama rossa uccide sette volte
Italy/West Germany: Emilio Miraglia

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DEATH WALKS AT MIDNIGHT ****

Original Title: La Morte accarezza a mezzanotte
Italy/Spain: Luciano Ercoli, 1972

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Thursday 24 January 2008

FOUR FLIES ON THE GREY MARKET

Thanks to a generous fellow Argento fan (you know who you are) I've managed to get my hands on a copy of the recent German DVD release of Four Flies On Grey Velvet. From what I understand, whilst not being a bona-fide commercial release, this disc does represent the best currently available version of Dario Argento's third giallo in his 'animal' trilogy. Having made do with a bootleg version derived from a French VHS tape for so long, I am very excited about watching this new superior presentation of the film.

If only Paramount or whomever owns the rights to the film could pull their finger out and put out a full special edition package. But the likelihood seems unlikely to say the least. You know what they say "you've got two hopes... Bob and no!"