The War is Over!

Oh happy day!

Hello again readers. Firstly, before I get to my main point, I would just like to apologise for my last post. It's just that Luke, a guy I work with.. well, he was just really passionate about that DVD, and he wanted the masses to know about it! So erm, that's that..

Right, so you may be interested to know that the next-gen format war is over. So LONG LIVE KING BLU-RAY!

Yes, it seems that Toshiba are the company driving the final nail into the HD-DVD coffin, as described in this article here. Now as a Playstation 3 owner this cheers me up no-end, as I already have the technology. I also believe that it could bring about a lot more choice in HD titles, with companies more dedicated to a singular format - and it'll hopefully bring about cheaper prices too!

I don't think that this has a massive effect on our beloved DVD's just yet, as I know that there's no way in hell that I'm converting all my 300 odd collection! It'll be interesting to see how it moves forward though. Maybe more blu-rays will start finding their way into my collection, but probably only the essentials at first (Lord of the Rings, The Matrix, Yngwie Johann Malmsteen: Concerto Suite for Guitar and Orchestra in E Flat Minor With the New Japan..)

But anyway, congratulations to you blu-ray. May your days ahead be joyous and plentiful! (And please.. not another format update for a good ten years or so)

- Jimmy

edit: I forgot to mention, I shall be away for a week in snowy Canada as of this weekend. I'll be sure to spy out any Region 1 bargains. I hear it's cheap as chips out there, maybe I could get my hands on the Rushmore Criterion DVD.. Anyway, see you guys upon my return! - J

Yngwie Johann Malmsteen - ERRIFIC!!

Fellow readers please pay attention, as this is probably the best deal I've come across in quite some time!

Yngwie Johann Malmsteen: Concerto Suite for Guitar and Orchestra in E Flat Minor With the New Japan!

Just £5.55 (used and new)

You heard it here first!

- Jimmy

Tartan Asia Extreme DVD Promotion

Play.com has a new promotion on Tartan Asia Extreme!

I am a big fan of these movies, and own the revenge/vengeance triology of films.

Tartan films are well known for distributing Extreme Asian films in the horror and thriller genre. These include the superb Battle Royale, the Whispering Corridors trilogy, A Tale of Two Sisters and my personal favourite, Oldboy.

Check out the selection of great deals now on these titles, with prices starting from as little as £5.99!

If you want a real collectors DVD set then you should opt for the Deluxe Vengeance Trilogy Limited Edition Boxset!


* Newly remastered double disc editions of Sympathy For Mr Vengeance, Old Boy and Lady Vengeance
* Exclusive Oldboy hammer/bottle opener (COOL!)
* Lady Vengeance gun blueprint poster
* Frameable lobby cards featuring images from the trilogy

LoveFilm on the Up

Well readers, some news to report for once!

Quite interesting this.. It seems that LoveFilm is taking over Amazon's UK and German DVD Rental services, which would make them all powerful in the DVD Rental world. It gives Amazon about a 30% share in the company, and means that they will be all the more prepared for the future when legal downloading comes more into play.

Read the brief BBC news snippet here.

It makes sense really, as it probably benefits both companies in the long run, and will leave them both with a bigger customer base. It means that their direct competitor now is Blockbuster.

I thought that this tied in quite well too with the recent news that ISP's may soon be given the power to police illegal downloads. (Article here) If this is the case then more and more people will be flocking to sites just like LoveFilm. I think it's a good move to be honest, as a lot of people do abuse the system, and it is stealing no matter what way you look at it. But it's not just studio bosses losing money, it runs all the way down the chain. Some TV shows and artists are even dependent on DVD sales to keep going (Family Guy being a good example).

Anyway, I've been umming and ahhing over LoveFilm for a while now, and decided that I actually will sign up. I've bought loads of brand new DVDs recently and it's probably going to be best in the long run. It'll also enable me to see all the films I've always wanted to see but never fancied buying - and that can only be a good thing!

- Jimmy

DVD-Spot - Favourite Websites

Morning all,

You may have noticed that we at DVD-Spot have expanded our list of favourite websites down the right hand side. Look, over there look >>> Cool eh?

I'm trying to expand the blog in new and exciting ways, so from now on I will be tirelessly searching more and more sites in search of the best deals (grooooan).

So now we have Zavvi.co.uk which seems to be up and running properly now. (previously mentioned here) They have some pretty good prices and are currently offering a '3 for £20' DVD deal. I'm not sure the new site is that brilliant to navigate, but at least they've finally ditched all the old Virgin Megastores branding. It's certainly one to keep an eye on.

Joining Zavvi (I still think it's a stupid name) is DVD.co.uk, which I've been recommended lots of times from various people but never really checked out myself. I don't want to recommend a site without actually using it myself, so from now on I will strive to use these too.

We also have a new DVD rental service from Blockbuster.co.uk, along with LoveFilm and Amazon who also offer the same service. It looks pretty similar tothe other plans available, and also offers game rental for all you next-gen peeps.

So go forth and check them out, you could find yeself a bargain!


- Jimmy

Ratatouille - C'est magnifique!

Oo la la! Zees rat, he iz ze best non?

I've just pre-ordered Pixar's Ratatouille from Play.com and am sitting here getting excited about finally seeing it. I'm a bit rubbish with seeing things at the cinema sometimes, even if it's a film I really want to see. Anyway that explains why this one initially passed me by.. but lets look at the pro's here:

• Pixar
• Brad Bird
• Say no more

Pixar have an almost flawless back catalogue and represent absolute quality. I'm sure you already know this.. but when you add Brad Bird to the equation it can only get better, as he's already proved on The Incredibles.

One of the biggest draws for me was the fact that they're offering the Pixar Short Films Collection with it in one nice big set. It only works out at about £3 more than just Ratatouille on its own, so quite a bargain. I actually went to the Pixar exhibition up in London seveal years back and got to see a lot of their really early shorts - which were all excellent. I just can't help but love such artistry and such obvious passion. It's clear from their short films, it's clear from their feature length films and I'm sure it'll be clear from this. Conzeeeder me impressed, oo la la!

- Monsieur Jimmy