HMV Sale Now On

What's this, two updates in one month!? Wiv zese blog posts yeour spoiling uz!

Well HMV have an amazing sale NOW ON...


..See? And as with all typical sales posts, I thought I'd check in on the very best bargains on offer - just for you, dear reader. This time round there's actually some fantastic bargains on offer, especially in the Boxsets section (some of which are stupidly cheap).

Anyway.. let us begin!

Back To The Future Trilogy Box Set: Collectors Edition - Just £7.99!!!

What an amazing way to kick off the post - an absolute bargain! If you don't already own the trilogy in some format then there's simply no excuse here. I actually went to a comedy show the other day where they were considering this as the best trilogy ever made. It was quite cool of them to go against that other trilogy set in a galaxy far far away, and I have to say that I was almost inclined to agree with them - but then I remembered that it's probably Indiana Jones instead. (Yes, it's a trilogy. No, there wasn't a fourth one. Sssshhhhh...)

Still, the Back to the Future trilogy is GREATNESS ITSELF. Endlessly fun, endlessly rewatchable, and a must have for any DVD collection.

Duuuuh - daduh duh duh dah duuuuuuuuh!

Arnold Schwarzenegger Collection: 4 DVD - Just £6.99!!!

Usually these actor collection series feature some really obscure films, but not so the Arnie collection! Here you have THE perfect encapsulation of the worlds favourite Governator. Just check out the list.. Predator! Commando!! The Terminator!!! Conan The Barbarian!!!! The only ones they're missing are Jingle all the way and Batman and Robin.

To celebrate this awesome collection of action and violence I've decided to create a haiku for each film. It'll be up to you to decide which one belongs with which. I'll even leave a space, for you to fill out at home!

1. _____________
See top one-liners
Explosions and violent death
And let off some steam!

2. _____________
Time Travel Weirdness
Explosions and violent death
Hasta la vista!

3. _____________
Rumble in Jungle
Explosions and violent death
Get to the Chopper!

4. _____________
Loincloths and muscles
Sorcery and violent death
Big fuck-off swords man!

budda budda budda budda...

Peep Show Complete Series Box Set - Just 17.99!!!!!!!

What a deal! Usually you could expect to pick up a single season on DVD for this kind of money - two seasons at a push if you pick it up in a sale.. but five? Given that this is also one of the most popular, critically acclaimed comedies around right now (for good reason too!) then this is an absolute steal!

This is good, this is just like watching a porn film, except I can't see anything, I haven't got a hard on, and I want to cry...

Alfred Hitchcock Complete DVD Box Set (15 DVD) - Just 17.99!!!!!!!

I've talked about Hitchcock a number of times on this blog, namely in my comprehensive Appreciating Hitchcock post I did a while back, but also in another post where I mention this very set, quite rightly pointing out that it was terrific value at just £24.99.. Well now it's just £17.99 and even better value. Along with the Master of Suspense Box Set, I think it's a perfect way into understanding and appreciating this true master of the silver screen.

Incidentally, my favourite Hitchcock films are:

• Rear Window
• Dial M for Murder
• The 39 Steps
  
• Vertigo
  
• Rope
  

Interestingly, 3 of these films are shot in predominantly one location. Rope for instance, takes place in only one room. Even more interesting is the fact that the entire film is made up of only ten shots - lasting up to ten minutes each fact fans. What a pro!

Some films are slices of life, mine are slices of cake

Quentin Tarantino Collection Box Set - Just 12.99!!!

Now we all know Quentin Tarantino is the mac daddy, the king of cool, the voice of a generation.. but have you seen all of his films? This contains his entire back catalog, up to and including Kill Bill 1&2. So all of his proper films basically - and all of that for £12.99! This includes:

• Reservoir Dogs
• Pulp Fiction
• Jackie Brown
• Kill Bill Volume 1
• Kill Bill Volume 2
  

All of them masterpieces in their own way - be it the brutal, hard hitting Reservoir Dogs, the slick, magnum opus of Pulp Fiction, the too kool for skool Jackie Brown or the crazy awesomeness of Kill Bill 1 and 2. Very cool box set!

It hurts... it hurts... dick dick dick dick dick dick dick dick dick

So those are my recommendations, but here's what I bought..

Derren Brown: Specials DVD - £11.99

Good solid sorcery and illusion from the greatest warlock of our times. (Oh come on he is a warlock) I find Derren Brown's work infinitely interesting, and I haven't seen a bunch of these, so looking forward to seeing more mind-melting madness!

Scream 1/2/3: Trilogy: 3dvd: Box Set - Just £8.99!!!

This is a bit of a weird purchase for me, as I'm not really a horror fan at all. That said, I think Scream is a truly great film, and I really love how it mashes and messes with conventions of the standard horror flick. I saw Scream 2 once when I was younger and remember being massively scared during a scene set in a car. Scream 3 is inevitably going to be a bit shit, but for this price it still works out at great value! Looking forward to seeing all of these now..

Movies don't make the psycho's, movie's make the psycho's more creative!

The 39 Steps DVD - Just £3.99!!!

Yes, unfortunately this classic Hitchcock feature isn't in any of the collections detailed above, but at just £3.99 you won't be too hard up! It also comes with a documentary about the great man, which I'll be sure to look into and comment upon. Expect something along the lines of "yeah, it was pretty good..". But the film itself, what a cracker! Described by 'Time Out' as "Not only Hitchcock's fastest and funniest film, but one of his most erotic and touching". Not bad!

So upon that last recommendation I will leave you, dear readers. I hope you enjoyed yourselves.

Until next time...

J

How Much Does Blu-Ray Cost?

This post is a first for this particular blog (and possibly the entire internet) as I’m bringing it to you in super hi-def. Pretty cool eh? I’ve harnessed state-of-the-art blogging technologies to really make the words and images stand out. Apparently the finished result is really swish - seeing as it cost me close to £300 I'm sure it will be. In fact some of this post may even be in 3D.

Anyway it’s a good time to introduce it, as I’m now going to take a big retrospective look at Blu-Ray prices throughout time, since the format's humble beginnings many moons ago. Ok so here goes.. “Blu-Ray used to be pretty expensive – but now it’s actually very affordable!”

Fwoo - Ok now that big retrospective analysis has been done, I can get on with what’s going on with the format right now, in the future. Erm... I mean “present”...Well many online retailers are starting to have some cool promotions on many of their Blu-Ray discs now, so this is a perfect time to start building out your Blu-Ray collections in my opinion. Personally I still tend to go for DVD’s with a lot of films – I don’t really understand the added benefit of seeing something like “Superbad” on Blu-Ray as opposed to DVD. However something like Wall.E or Apocalypse Now, or anything truly visual, then I think the added cost is definitely worth it. I went through the top online retailers and had a look at what was on offer, just out of curiosity. It turns out that Play and HMV had some interesting things going on, but I ended up ordering some through Amazon, with their really cool 3 for 2 on selected Blu-ray discs!

HMV – Blu-Ray from just £6.99!!!! - click Here.

Play.com - Blu-Ray Movies from only £7.99!! - click Here.

Amazon - 3 for 2 on selected Blu-ray discs

I just couldn't pass this one up, so here's what I ended up going for:

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford Blu-Ray

This is a film that I initially watched through LOVEFiLM, and despite it being a bloody mouthful, I instantly decreed it a modern classic. Haunting, brooding, and very well made. On top of this it looks absolutely gorgeous in Blu-Ray. I've posted my full LoveFilm review at the bottom of this post, so be sure to check it out - and then follow my example and buy it - you won't be disappointed!

Watch out - there's a train coming!

Raging Bull Blu-Ray

Well - what to say about Raging Bull? It's certainly one of the finest films that Scorsese has ever made, no question about it. It also has one of the biggest powerhouse performances ever, with Robert DeNiro. It's also one of the hardest watches I've ever had to sit through! Not to discredit the film in any way, but as brilliant as it is, it's a very hard watch. So much so in fact that I've only ever seen it once, and it's taken me about 5 years to return to it! However the appeal of seeing some of the imagery in Blu-Ray was too much, so I had to get it.

Starship Troopers Blu-Ray

Call it rubbish if you want, but Starship Troopers is a bloody entertaining film! I mainly got this because it's perfect for an upcoming film night I'm planning - but regardless this is a film I could watch loads of times and have a good time with - Would you like to know more?

Honourable mentions and recommendations

If you don't fancy any of those, here are my recommendations for the best of the rest:

The Fountain Blu-Ray

This may sound stupid, but I already own this film on DVD, and had to really struggle over whether or not to buy it on Blu-Ray as well because I like it that much. Darren Aronofsky and Clint Mansell re-team to create an awe-inspiring epic masterpiece. I managed to dig out an old review I did on another blog, and you can find that at the bottom of this post as well..

The Corpse Bride Blu-Ray

Vintage Tim Burton stop motion. Very well done, very cool look and feel to it. Great fun!

Sunshine Blu-Ray

Sunshine is one of those truly intelligent, truly atmospheric sci-fi films that come along oh so rarely. In my opinion it sits right up there with the very best, including Alien, 2001 and Silent Running. It has a bit of a weird ending, but this can't ruin the rest of the film which is frankly fantastic. Danny Boyle is one of the most gifted filmmakers working today - FACT. Oh, and I bet it looks amazing in Blu-Ray!

On a side note, I've heard amazing things about the upcoming 'Moon' with Sam Rockwell - this is right up there on my most anticipated for 2009!

Cloverfield Blu-Ray

This film was misunderstood by a lot of people, but in my opinion it's a brilliant film. It has its flaws, sure, but it's also one of the most chaotic and involved films I've seen in a while. Pure visceral cinema. For my LoveFilm review please check out the bottom of this post..

The Fly Blu-Ray

I shouldn't have to describe this - it's brilliant.

The 40 Year Old Virgin Blu-Ray

Probably one of the most pleasant surprises I've had when watching a film. There was me expecting a purile laugh(less)-fest, when it suddenly proved me completely wrong. Consistently laugh-out loud funny, and well recommended - Although not sure I'd buy it on Blu-Ray..

Bad Santa Blu-Ray

I would like to go on record and announce this as the greatest christmas film ever made! If you like your comedy dark, and find the idea of a drunken Santa pissing himself, swearing like a trooper, and beating up nativity sets in front of crying kids funny, then this is the film for you!

I'm going to end this post there, as I can't be arsed writing any more. I'm not sure exactly what I was trying to say in the above epic post, but er... at least it's something. I hope you didn't find it too boring. For those with a bit more stamina, you may want to check out the relevant LoveFilm reviews below:
--------------------------------

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford - Review

I'm not sure a film has held my attention like this one did in quite some time. Simply put this is a breathtaking film - It's absolutely beautiful to look at (not just because I saw it in blu-ray) and the story and interplay between all the characters is absolutely gripping throughout, with a somber melancholic tone that always undulates beneath the surface. All of the supporting cast are perfect. Brad Pitt portrays Jesse James as a completely ruthless and mean son of a bitch, but you can see the demons that he suffers. He can't trust anyone, and his only friendships are kept through fear. It's Casey Affleck who holds the screen though. His portrayal of Robert Ford is perfect, as a bit of a dreamer and hero-worshipping weirdo, but with tones of sadness and repression in him as well. I'll definitely be keeping an eye on writer/director Andrew Dominik, as he surely has the makings of a fantastic career ahead of him. The story is gripping, the cinematography is stunning, the score is haunting and brooding - and it's simply essential cinema.

Five Stars out of Five

--------------------------------

Cloverfield Review

First Off - I cannot understand how so many people can rate this film poorly. You can't know the concept of the film beforehand and then criticise it for not conforming to typical movie conventions. What's been done with Cloverfield, is to take a fairly simple disaster concept, but to turn it on its head and show it all through the various characters perspectives. So you don't see the bigger picture and you don't get all the answers - but the result of filming it in this manner means that all of the action and all of the human emotion is that much more real, and more shocking.

And I think they've captured it all perfectly. Not only do you feel like it could actually happen, it also manages to instill in you the sort of panic that the characters are feeling. And the story is setup well enough to ensure that you're invested with the characters before the action kicks off. Shaky camera is not an excuse. If you criticise this film based on shaky camera then you're missing the point entirely - believe me, I was engrossed enough throughout to not notice it in the slightest.

So where does it fall down? Well, you could bring up the point that nearly all of the cast are gorgeous and successful, but you can probably let that slide. My main problem was with one of the main characters who we spend the most time 'behind the camera' with. He's likable enough at first, but after a while his constant 'Dude... what's going on... oh man... dude, what's happening??' antics can grate a bit. Despite that though, this is a daring, exciting, edge of the seat thriller, and you should definitely experience it!

Holy Shit!!!

--------------------------------

The Fountain Review

I've just finished watching The Fountain, which is a giant, disparate, beautiful experience of a film.. It's essentially a story of a man and his dying wife, only tangled up through time and space and with a big dose of mythology chucked at it. If you watch it from a completely subjective standpoint, and let the mood and story sort of wash over you then you can have a great time with it. The imagery is breathtaking, and if you can excuse one or two bizarre/pretentious moments then the story is actually really touching and effective. Hugh Jackman through this film (and films like the Prestige) has proved his worth, and is definitely one of the actors of his generation, top show!

I rate it five nebulas out of five! Truly unique!