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Comment on Trainspotting: Ultimate Collector’s Edition [Blu-ray] [1996] Best Price by Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:08:53 +0000

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

A high octane thrill without the needle, 28 Feb 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Trainspotting W/S [VHS] [1996] (VHS Tape)

A highly energetic adaption of the Irvine Welsh bestseller, following the misadventures of a group of Edinburgh drug addicts whose dependency and downward spiral is offset by a pumping soundtrack and visually stunning photography. Lauded as counter-culture and following hot on the heels of director Danny Boyle's hit Shallow Grave, this is in fact a very traditional and very funny story, told by lead character Renton (Ewan McGregor) of a rites-of-passage tale aided and abetted by a junkie's needle. Four of the main characters are all heroin addicts, with the exception of Robert Carlyle's wonderfully psychotic Begbie, who is so completely barking no drugs are needed to send him wildly off his tree. Renton (as the film's main focus and narrator) is determined to kick the habit and does cold turkey, only to find the temptations from his friends too near at hand as he is sucked back into their world with both horrific and hilarious consequences. Pulling the rug of sympathy from under Renton's feet however, the film shifts confusingly from our hero searching for his next desperate heroin fix halfway through the film to a suddenly transformed young suit popping up in London as an estate agent. Such an action belies his apparent mental frailty and begs the obvious question Why on earth take the drug if life is as easy as this? From early on the script adopts a commercial crowd-pleasing tone (there are endless references to Sean Connery and Iggy Pop, a la Tarantino) thus enabling most of the cast to at least become coherent to a large section of the audience (a feat that seemed to escape the novel). Violent and hugely entertaining in its approach, this is a film that, despite its reputation, avoids the underbelly of the drug world, neatly side-stepping the more painful aspects in favour of a glossy sheen on the media's favourite theme: twentysomething angst, a move that promises handsome returns at the box office. This is a film with intelligence, wit and a notable debut from the very, very promising Kelly McDonald; talent and beauty in equal measure. Proof that Britain, or should that be Scotland, has more than enough bite at the box office.

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Comment on Trainspotting: Ultimate Collector’s Edition [Blu-ray] [1996] Best Price by S. Johnston "the_jossman"

S. Johnston "the_jossman" — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:34:46 +0000

44 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

Atomic!, 27 July 2003

S. Johnston "the_jossman" (Oxford, UK) -

This review is from: Trainspotting: The Definitive Edition [DTS] [DVD] [1996] (DVD)

Having bought the original DVD away back in 1999 (in the old-style transparent plastic case and everything), I have to say I was aprehensive about paying the extra money for the extra scenes and interviews. However, it was well worth it.

To recap, Trainspotting follows the lives of three junkies (Renton, Sick Boy and Spud) and a psychopath (Begbie) in Edinburgh (although quite a lot of the film is actually shot in my home town of Glasgow). Having recieved a mixture of acclaim and controversy when it was released, those who make the effort to watch it will realise it is not about glamorising drugs. It is essentially about the break up of friendships between men who have been pals since school and whose lives decay in a furore of drink, violence, sex, and drugs. It also makes an important statement of how mundane junkies' lives are.

The most disturbing aspect of this film is actually the amount of humour: from the bookmaker's toilet to the psychopath Begbie, quite simply a nutter, to use a nice vernacular phrase. Also look out for Sick Boy's great impressions of Sean Connery.

The extras on the DVD are great and a perfect length. Various missing scenes are included on the first disc. On the second disc, there is a mixture of interviews (including one with the author of the book, Irvine Welsh), and good behind-the-scenes material, including some nice multi-angle material.

Admirers of Trainspotting will have already appreciated its pulsating and eclectic soundtrack: from Lou Reed's 'Perfect Day' to Sleeper's cover of 'Atomic'; from Iggy Pop's 'Lust For Life' to 'Habanera' from Carmen. This DVD explains the choice of sound, as well as other aspects such as visuals and colour, and was interested to find out the music is designed to move the audience from the 1980s where the story begins to the 1990s. Indeed, Renton, the hero (?) of the film begins as a person with his mind stuck in the era of Iggy Pop, before eventually waking up to the 1990s with Pulp and Damon Albarn. Incidentally, also look out for the vox-pops of Albarn at the Cannes film festival on the second disc, as well as the likes of Oasis and Ewan McGregor himself.

This a film which deals with a controversial subject in a perfect manner with an excellent cast, great visuals, and a racing sountrack. ***** Five Stars! *****

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Comment on The Gruffalo [DVD] [2009] UK Sale by Alfie's mummy

Alfie's mummy — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:32:30 +0000

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

Magical veiwing for all, 28 Dec 2009

Alfie's mummy (UK) -

This review is from: The Gruffalo [DVD] [2009] (DVD)

We love the original Gruffalo book in our household and so when we saw this was going to be aired on Christmas Day (and later repeated on BBC3 on Boxing Day), we just had to watch it. And we weren't disappointed. In fact I can honestly, hand-on-heart say that this 30 minute animation is the best thing I've seen on TV all year.

It was just magical in both the way the book has been so faithfully animated (not Disneyfied thank goodness!), with beautiful soundtrack too and it kept both my husband and I entranced from start to finish. Sadly my little boy (18months) was in bed already, so I'm thrilled to see that it's being released on DVD.

If you haven't seen it yet, then do catch it on BBC's iplayer while it is available (a week or so?) but if you're shopping once it's been removed, then don't hesitate to buy this on DVD! If you love the book, you won't regret it.

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Comment on The Gruffalo [DVD] [2009] UK Sale by John Talbot

John Talbot — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 07:41:42 +0000

45 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

I saw the Gruffalo and the Gruffalo was...good!, 29 Dec 2009

John Talbot (Gloucestershire, UK) -

This review is from: The Gruffalo [DVD] [2009] (DVD)

When I first heard that the Gruffalo was to be animated I was filled with a mixture of excitement and tredipidation. Like many other parents, I'm sure that I actually enjoy reading the book as much as (if not more than), my 3 year old loves hearing it and looking at the illustrations. In my mind, I know exactly how mouse, fox, owl and snake sound and, of course, the voice of the mysterious Gruffalo.

I needn't have worried. The casting is spot on: James Corden is cheeky enough for mouse, Tom Wilkinson sneery enough for Fox, John Hurt wise enough for Owl and Rob Brydon a fantastic welsh snake (surely a first). The icing on the cake is Robbie Coltrane as a perfect Gruffalo.

The animation stays very close to the look and feel of the original illustrations and the squirrel storytelling is a nice conceit to retain the wonderful rhymes. Oh, and the music is magical.

Best adaptation I could have hoped for and watched twice in a row by my daughter who loves it. Next year let's hope they also animate the sequel - The Gruffalo's Child - that would be a Christmas treat.

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Comment on Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Special 2 Disc Edition + Bumblebee) (Region 2) (Import) Christmas Sale by Cool Mama

Cool Mama — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 22:19:34 +0000

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

A let down!, 15 Mar 2010

Cool Mama (England) -

This review is from: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (1-Disc) [DVD] (DVD)

Enjoyed the first Transformer movie so I rented this one and I am so glad I didn't buy it...it was such a big let down! Not going to explain the movie it was too badly made to bother.

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Comment on Land of the Lost [Blu-ray][Region Free] In Stock UK by Caroline Sarah

Caroline Sarah — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 22:00:12 +0000

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Good fun, 9 Jun 2011

Caroline Sarah -

This review is from: Land Of The Lost [DVD] (DVD)

I first saw "Land of the Lost" when my sister had a sleepover and I wasn't having a great time, but then I started watching the film with them and found it very entertaining and amusing. For a couple of weeks after watching the film, lots of funny quotes from the film kept repeating themselves in my head and made me laugh, so I found the item and decided that it was worth buying, and it's really cheap too :)

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Comment on Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Special 2 Disc Edition + Bumblebee) (Region 2) (Import) Christmas Sale by Jonathan Wallis

Jonathan Wallis — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:26:02 +0000

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

Great for kids, not so great for adults, 1 Dec 2009

Jonathan Wallis (UK) -

This review is from: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (1-Disc) [DVD] (DVD)

After watching this film I couldn't help but think it was really quite disappointing. There seemed to be a tendency to fill the film with visual effects and forget about everything else. I'd go further and say that there were some bits that felt added purely to show off the effects and didn't actually give anything to the film.
This film is certainly one for children (I'm quite sure my eight year old nephew would love it) but I'm not convinced adults would find it quite as good.

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Comment on Land of the Lost [Blu-ray][Region Free] In Stock UK by Jules

Jules — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:09:41 +0000

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Crazy Comedy, 15 Aug 2011

Jules (England) -

This review is from: Land Of The Lost [DVD] (DVD)

After 3 years Disgraced Palaeontologist Rick Marshall (Will Ferrell -Step Brothers) is given a second chance by the very attractive, yet intelligent Holly Cantrell (Anna Friel -Limitless) to put his crazy theory of using Tachyons to travel sideways into another dimension into practice. Rekindling his theory thanks to Holly, they travel to a large source of tachyons, a remote theme park-ish location, where they get a tour from owner Will Stanton (Danny McBride -Eastbound and Down) and its not long untill Rick Marshall's theory is put into reality, and they are sucked into another dimension where they come across dinosaures & wacky pre-historic creatures. But they also make firends in the shape of Chaka (Jorma Taccone -Saturday Night Live]) who tires to help them after they save his life. Can they find a way home ?

The chemistry between the leads, means that we see some classic Will Ferrell at work, bloody hilarious in places (watch him wash with Dino pee LOL) but they too also carry their own weight in the comedy steaks. The relationship between Rick & Chaka is paticulary funny to watch. The CGI of the animals & creatures is very well done & brings them to life, making them part of the cast really, especialy the dinosaurs.

Overall this is a silly, crazy comedy which see's Will Ferrell doing what he is good at. Obviously those film viewers who are not fans of Will's work will not enjoy this film a whole lot as it is based around his style of comedy. The film doesnt plod along either, it is constantly moving with the action & the funnies. Reccomended.

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Comment on The Sopranos – Complete HBO Season 1-6 – Deluxe Edition [DVD] In Stock UK by Shaiya

Shaiya — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:35:13 +0000

38 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

TV Drama. Redefined., 15 Sep 2008

Shaiya -

This review is from: The Sopranos - Complete HBO Season 1-6 - Deluxe Edition [DVD] (DVD)

Despite being a fan of mob movies, I never managed to catch The Sopranos when it was broadcast on TV (I'm always too busy to properly follow a TV station's schedule). Nonetheless, I heard it was a good show, so I took the plunge and purchased the complete box set.

Boy, am I glad I did!

The Sopranos is compulsive viewing. I managed to watch all six seasons over the course of one month, because when one episode finishes, you're simply dying to watch the next! Each episode is crammed with interesting characters, cutting dialogue and first-rate acting. And although classified as a TV drama, there is a lot of humour injected into each episode, so its not all downbeat and grim - you'll be laughing during scenes as well!

For fans of mob movies, The Sopranos is essential viewing. For casual fans, it still makes a great TV show. I know because my wife could care less for mob movies but even she would sit there watching episodes with me... Because its not just about the Mafia. Its about family and relationships as well - but certainly not in the "boring" way you may think it is.

Highly recommended.

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Comment on The Sopranos – Complete HBO Season 1-6 – Deluxe Edition [DVD] In Stock UK by O. Morad

O. Morad — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:09:30 +0000

85 of 91 people found the following review helpful:

Great DVD set - Best TV Show ever., 29 Oct 2009

O. Morad (Central London) -

This review is from: The Sopranos - HBO Complete Season 1-6 (New Packaging) [DVD] (DVD)

I can't add anything new to all the praise that's been handed upon this show apart from saying that it's all deserved. Instead I'm going to talk specifically about this DVD set.

The content:
In case you were confused about which box set to get - this one is the full series over 28 discs which include all of the special features in the individual seasons.

The Packaging:
All 6 seasons are presented in 7 individual amery cases in the lovely black box - an apparent improvement over the "deluxe box set" but I'll come back to that later.

Versus the Deluxe Box Set:
There is also a deluxe box set out with 2 extra discs of extra features which are NOT included in this box set but it's composed out of a cardboard digipack case which is easier to damage and the housing for the discs leaves them open to lots of scratches.

It's also about £60 more expensive and the extra features don't seem good enough to warrant that price tag - even for a Sopranos purist.

Verdict:
In terms of value and packaging - I'd definitely recommend you go for this box set over the deluxe one - especially at the prices it's going for now but if you really want to see those extra features - here is the link for the other box set -
The Sopranos - Complete HBO Season 1-6 - Deluxe Edition [DVD] [1999]

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