Blade Runner - The Final Cut

Ladies and Gentlemen, this September, a truly iconic film will be turning 25 years old.

Whether or not you've seen Blade Runner or not, you may well be aware of it's iconic status and the impact it has had on science fiction, and, well.. films in general.

I've always wanted to own the DVD, but was never really sure what version to get. It's been chopped up more than Frankie the Squeeler, when he was chopped up after squeeling on his boss Marty MAD MAN CHOPPER, chopper extraordinaire (and winner of best mutton CHOPS in the years 2002, 2004 and 2007 respectively) Chop.

I have the directors cut on video, but when I started watching it recently I felt ashamed. The image quality was a joke and I felt like I was spitting in Ridley Scott's face! He's such an artist and a perfectionist, and the images he creates are so stunning and arresting that you really need to see it on DVD. Ironically you want to see it in higher def so that the grit shows up more!

ANYWAY, the point of the post is this: THE FINAL CUT HAS ARRIVED!

To mark the 25th anniversary of this fantastic film, they have gone out of their way to supply fans with a truly definitive edition - The Final Edition!

Here's some early artwork:



Nice eh? I can see that sitting quite happily on my DVD shelf at home.

But those who like to look that extra bit flash..

fuckin hellllllll!

"Additionally, the set will come packaged in a limited “Blade Runner” briefcase holding the five-disc digipack with foil-enhanced and embossed slipcase. The goodies inside will include a lenticular motion image from the original feature, a collectible model spinner, an origami unicorn, a collection of photographs and a letter from Ridley Scott."


There's also rumours that it may be getting a re-release theatrically which would be something else on the big screen. The biggest appeal of the cut appears to be additional content which will lay to rest the whole 'is he a replicant?/isn't he a replicant?' debate. Personally I prefer it to be open to interpretation, but it's interesting none-the-less. When reading the book I had the impression that he was, but the whole ambiguity of it made it appealing, and I expect many a fearsome debate online!

For the DVD specifics see below:

Disc 1 - The Final Cut (2007):

• Ridley Scott’s definitive new version of his science-fiction masterpiece includes added & extended scenes, added lines and new and cleaner special effects.

Disc 2 - 3 Complete Film Versions:

• ‘82 U.S. Theatrical version
• ‘82 International Theatrical version
• '92 Director's Cut

Disc 3 - “Dangerous Days: Making Blade Runner” Documentary

• Newly created documentary: Through interviews with the cast and crew, critics and colleagues, this feature-length documentary provides a mainstream-friendly yet meaningful in-depth look at Blade Runner’s literary genesis, its challenging production and controversial legacy. When all is said and done, this will be the definitive documentary on the film.

Disc 4 – Enhanced Content Bonus: (TBC)

• INCEPTION - Featurettes and galleries devoted to Philip K. Dick, the birth of Cyberpunk and adapting the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep.
• PRE-PRODUCTION - Featurettes and galleries devoted to script development, conceptual design and abandoned sequences.
• PRODUCTION - Featurettes and galleries devoted to principal photography and locations.
• POST-PRODUCTION - Featurettes and galleries devoted to deleted scenes, music and visual effects.
• RELEASE - Featurettes and galleries devoted to marketing and reaction including Trailers, TV Spots and Promotional Featurettes
• LEGACY - Featurettes and galleries devoted to the film’s resurrection and impact.

Disc 5 - Work Print Version & Enhanced Content:

• Including the rarely seen Work Print version and potentially the 52 min. Channel Four (UK) documentary which was the first serious documentary created for the film.

I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for the best deals closer to release and will let you all know in due time. Until then keep watching the skeees. Uh.. I mean skies.. *shifty eyes*

Aaaand I'm spent!

Cor blimey missus, not a bad way to be greeted back to the UK - with a £100 Amazon gift voucher! (My company gave me it for having the best business ideas of the month - a thank you)

Anyway, I of course decided to save it up and set about planning sensible purchases for the future... not really! I blew it all on DVDs!

Check it out, here's what I went for:

The Three Colours Trilogy

I'd never got round to seeing these films. Obviously I'd heard of them, and I knew they were French but aside from that I knew nothing. My interest was piqued recently when I saw one of them on the '100 Greatest Movie Scenes' or something on Channel 4. I do tend to like my intense dramas, so I'm looking forward to seeing these. Plus the second one has Julie Delpy in it, who I completely fell in love with in Before Sunrise - Swooon!



Run Lola Run
I've always wanted to see this but never ever got round to it - but it's supposed to be a clever adrenaline filled ride, get in!

The Fountain
This has had extremely mixed reviews, but I'm a fan of the director (Requiem for a Dream & Pi) and I reckon I'll be able to suspend disbelief and just soak in the atmosphere and the visuals. I was actually first interested in this because it sounds exactly like a dream I once had, which was quite intense. It didn't have Hugh Jackman in it though..

The Science Of Sleep
You have to love Michel Gondry - you HAVE to. Doooo it! Not only is he a fantastically creative dude, he also knows how to tell a story. I've not seen this film yet, but it looks quite good. I believe it's the first he's ever written himself (feature length) so I'm quite interested to see how he does. He actually has some short films on his Director Label DVD which were excellent, so it's looking good. He's pretty good at making sweet but funny/quirky love stories. his next film Be Kind Rewind sounds good too.

Last but not least I got The Departed which I didn't get round to seeing in the cinema. I didn't get it on Amazon though, as it was much cheaper on Play. It was one of the frustrating things about having an Amazon voucher really, their prices don't seem as good on quite a few products, whereas some of the other sites have some massive sales on. I'm hoping they'll pick up a bit soon!

Aaaand just to prove I have at least one other interest apart from DVDs, here's what else I bought:

Books:
Brighton Rock
The Big Sleep
Animal Farm
The Invisible Man
Dracula

Games
Tomb Raider: Anniversary

Not too shabby a shopping spree that!

In the near future I'm thinking of starting up a DVD picks of the week/month or something else along those lines, as well as several other regular features, so until next time - stay tuned for more!

You pal,
- Jimmy

Afro Samurai - Numbered Limited Edition

This week Afro Samurai from the Gonzo team has been released on DVD for region 2. I managed to get hold of a numbered limited edition from Amazon UK for £11.99.

I have watched several episodes and it is superb! Amazing animation, voice-acting and music.

Afro Samurai is pretty gruesome, a strong stomach will be needed to love this gory, head-slicing bloodfest!

Heres a trailer from youtube.

Now there is a directors Cut Edition out:

With this you get a 2nd disc of bonus material and some more substantial packaging.

Display Your DVD Collection With Pride!

Now I'm not sure how happy you are to do this, but storing your DVD collection online can be a GOOD thing! There are many sites out there that allow you to build up different sorts of collections and submit titles, but my favourite one is DVD Aficionado. It's recently gone through an upgrade, so I think there's some new features in there like sorting your collection by sub-folders and things.

Anyway.. essentially, all you do is add in all of your DVD titles, and then.. well, you just kind of sit back and bask in a radiant smug glow really. You may be confronted with comments such as *cough*GEEK*cough* or "God Dammit have you no SHAME?" (A friend of mine recently said that he felt dirty afterwards) but it's not entirely shallow and narcissistic. There's also a community, and you can find other users with similar lists and interests and things, and if your DVDs ever get nicked at least you have a record of them...

ok so maybe it really is about showing off and 'one-upping' others, but so what? I have 245 titles and 359 disks overall buddy! Swivel on that!

If you wish to show off your collection, I've added a link in the favourite websites bit at the side >>>


This reminds me of another website YMDB where you can list your favourite 20 movies and compare them with others. This is quite good as it shows you your closest matches and may give you recommendations for further viewing.

If you're interested in my top 20, look no further:

The Fellowship of the Ring
Magnolia
Se7en
The Return of the King
Platoon
Before Sunrise
Punch-Drunk Love
Chinatown
The Usual Suspects
American Beauty
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Taxi Driver
Donnie Darko
Mulholland Dr.
Barton Fink
The Two Towers
Bottle Rocket
Pulp Fiction
The Truman Show
Fight Club

Now I haven't updated this in ages so it's a bit wrong, but still quite a fine list if I do say so myself!

Now I'm going away to sunny Greece for a week so expect some more updates shortly after my return (I'll have to clear the ouzo hangover first)

Until next time!

- Jimmy