Friday 29 May 2009

DVD COLLECTION ??

Incoming MARTYRS Blu-ray disc UK release courtesy of HMV online. Details to follow.

DVD COLLECTION ??

Incoming THE READER UK Blu-ray disc release courtesy of HMV online.

Tuesday 26 May 2009

Sunday 24 May 2009

Saturday 23 May 2009

Friday 22 May 2009

STAR TREK ***½

USA/Germany: J. J. Abrams, 2009

IMDB reference

Thursday 21 May 2009

DVD COLLECTION ??

Incoming HULK Blue-ray disc from Universal, Region ABC, UK.

Sunday 17 May 2009

(*) SPECIES **½

USA: Roger Donaldson, 1995

IMDB reference

(*) THE GOLDEN COMPASS: EXTENDED EDITION ***

USA/UK: Chris Weitz, 2007

It should be noted that whilst the version of the film I watched here was the UK, Region B encoded Blu-ray Disc, titled as the "Extended Edition" I could identify no extra footage to that of the theatrical version I had seen previously. Curious, as THE GOLDEN COMPASS feels like a compromised work which suffers from plot and pacing issues. As a result the film would surely benefit from a longer running time in which to fully bring this adaptation closer to the much praised source novel.

IMDB reference

Friday 15 May 2009

BACK TO THE GREEN!

Having recently picked-up and watch THE INCREDIBLE HULK, I decided to order Ang Lee's 2003 adaptation of the green Marvel superhero. I saw Lee's film upon its theatrical release but recall very little about it other than I felt the climax was too long and overblown. An accusation one could apply to the more bombastic 2008 reboot from start to finish. Fingers crossed the Blu-ray Disc of THE HULK released by Universal will be arriving from HMV online sometime soon for me to indulge in a retrospective comparison of the two special effects laden blockbusters.

Wednesday 13 May 2009

DVD COLLECTION ??

Incoming SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE Blu-ray Disc (Warner, Region ABC, UK).

DVD COLLECTION ??

Incoming Blu-ray Disc of SPECIES (Twentieth Century Fox, Region ABC, UK).

DVD COLLECTION ??

Incoming Blu-ray Disc SON OF RAMBOW (Optimum, Region B, UK).

DVD COLLECTION ??

Incoming NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD Blu-ray Disc (Optimum, Region ABC, UK).

DVD COLLECTION ??

Incoming Blu-ray Disc of THE GOLDEN COMPASS: EXTENDED EDITION 2-disc set (Entertainment In Video, Region B, UK).

DVD COLLECTION ??

Incoming TIM BURTON'S CORPSE BRIDE Blu-ray Disc (Warner, Region ABC, UK).

Monday 11 May 2009

Saturday 9 May 2009

(*) POLTERGEIST ****

USA: Tobe Hooper and Steven Spielberg, 1982

IMDB reference

THE INCREDIBLE HULK ***

USA: Louis Leterrier, 2008

IMDB reference

Friday 8 May 2009

DVD COLLECTION ??

Incoming THE INCREDIBLE HULK (Blu-ray disc, Universal, Region B, UK). Rather disappointingly this film arrived boxed in the standard blue, Blu-ray disc case. I had rather hoped for the US style packaging with the green finish. Nevermind. Let's just hope the film is better than terrible.

DVD COLLECTION ??

Incoming THE MIST 2-disc Special Edition (Blu-ray Disc, Momentum Pictures, Region B, UK). Also as pleasant surprise this set came packaged with a paperback of Stephen King's original novella. Been a long time since I remember getting an unexpected extra such as this with a purchase, great stuff.

Thursday 7 May 2009

DVD COLLECTION ??

Incoming POLTERGEIST (Blu-ray Disc, Warner, Region ABC, UK). Details to follow.

Wednesday 6 May 2009

VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #??

Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution

Platform: PlayStation 3
Region: UK (PAL)
Developer: Firaxis
Publisher: 2K Games
Retail Release: 13/6/2008

VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #??

Buzz!: Quiz TV (Special Edition)
Bundled with Wireless Buzzers

Platform: PlayStation 3
Region: UK (PAL)
Developer: Relentless Software
Publisher: Sony
Retail Release: 31/10/2008

EVERYBODY WANTS TO RULE THE WORLD

Incoming PS3 UK release of CIVILIZATION REVOLUTION.

DVD COLLECTION ??

Incoming THE TIGON COLLECTION (SD DVD, Anchor Bay, Region 2, UK). Details follow...

FINGERS ON BUZZERS!

Incoming PS3 UK release of BUZZ! Quiz TV Special Edition with Wireless Buzzers.

Tuesday 5 May 2009

DVD COLLECTION ??

Just arrived ENCHANTED (Blu-ray Disc, Disney, Region B, UK) details to follow...

Monday 4 May 2009

Sunday 3 May 2009

Saturday 2 May 2009

(*) CASINO ROYALE ****½

USA/UK/Germany/Czech Republic: Martin Campbell, 2006

Having watched this reboot of the Bond franchise a second time, I'll admit my initial evaluation of CASINO ROYALE was a tad harsh. Certainly, I remember being quite bored by the film when I saw it for the first time and totally unimpressed with Daniel Craig as Bond. I should point out that I did watch the film early in the courtship of my good lady and it is reasonable to assume my attention was somewhat distracted from the screen. Also perhaps the hype surrounding its release (plus the large shadow cast by its action/thriller contemporary THE BOURNE TRILOGY) meant I was predisposed to be disappointed.

However, I can admit it when I'm wrong. Having watched the film again I agree that it stands as a bold and well crafted re-imagining of Britain's most famous secret agent. In fact, I now recognise that CASINO ROYALE is an excellent thriller on its own merits with some sublime action sequences. In addition, I was particularly impressed by the subtleties and depth of both script and direction which seemingly past my radar first time round. Finally, Daniel Craig as Bond was significantly better than I had remembered. Although I had always rated Craig as an actor, at the time of first seeing the film, I thought his acting range as Bond comprised solely of one moody look. I was wrong, highlighting my own unfounded prejudices against his casting in the role at the time. Craig is in fact excellent as Bond, bringing an emotional intensity and physicality to the character I had never noticed before. Okay, confession over, I feel better now. Next up QUANTUM OF SOLACE.

IMDB reference

Friday 1 May 2009

LOVE FILM, LOVE BLU!

I decided to give LOVE FILM's 30 day online DVD, Blu-Ray and Games rental a try. First titles I got my hands on having added 50 odd titles to my pending list are SUPERMAN RETURNS and SPEED both on Blu-ray disc.