Oliver Carter

Tenebrae in Lego

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 13:55:13 -0700

An interesting fan interpretation of one of the iconic scenes from Dario Argento's Tenebrae in Lego.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9d2Qa1Ve4sA

RIP Steve Jobs (1955-2011)

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 13:48:56 -0700

“Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me … Going to bed at night saying we’ve done something wonderful… that’s what matters to me.”

Permalink | Leave a comment »

Almost Human (Umberto Lenzi, 1974)

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 12:20:17 -0700

Initially I was loathe to purchase this classic poliziottesco film on DVD for a third time but I am a sucker for limited edition packaging. It is pleasing to hear that this limited edition lenticular cover release by Shameless has already had its 1000 copy run ship to retailers meaning that if you want this limited edition cover you had better get an order in sooner rather than later. Being the first real release of a classic poliziottesco on DVD in the UK and that it appears to have sold rather well we might get to seem some of the other quality films in this cycle given a release.

Permalink | Leave a comment »

Went the Day Well? (Alberto Cavalcanti, 1942)

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 14:13:11 -0700

There have been some surprising Blu-Ray releases this year and this World War 2 propaganda film is most certainly one of them. The cover is beautiful and the HD picture quality is stellar.

Permalink | Leave a comment »

Obsession (Brian DePalma, 1976)

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 13:11:12 -0700

2011 appears to be year of Brian DePalma. So far we have had an superlative Criterion Blu-Ray release of my favourite DePalma film Blow Out, this release of Obsession and scheduled for later this year is a US Blu-Ray of Dressed to Kill.

Permalink | Leave a comment »

Nightmares in a Damaged Brain (Romano Scavolini, 1981)

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 13:21:09 -0700

It seems an age since Code Red announced that they would be releasing this former video nasty on DVD. It is also hard to believe that the UK distributor of the original VHS release of this film was imprisoned for 18 months. Code Red's release appears to be rather impressive. The film is presented fully uncut in both 4x3 and 16x9 versions. Only 100,000 units of this DVD have been pressed and Code Red appear to be quite confident that they will shift them. Optimistic maybe but I have my fingers crossed for them.

Permalink | Leave a comment »

The Girl Who Played with Fire (Daniel Alfredson, 2009)

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 12:55:43 -0700

Loved The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and I am eager to see the second film in the series.

Permalink | Leave a comment »

The Town (Ben Affleck, 2010)

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 12:51:23 -0700

I couldn't help but think that this was Ben Affleck's ode to Michael Mann's Heat (1995). Still, this is an entertaining, well made heist film.

Permalink | Leave a comment »

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (Edgar Wright, 2010)

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 12:48:10 -0700

Destined to become a cult classic. I had a big smile on my face while watching this for the first time. Good fun.

Permalink | Leave a comment »

Shutter Island (Martin Scorcese, 2010)

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 12:44:39 -0700

Courtesy of Blockbuster's '3 for £15' sale. Yes, the following four purchases are either pre-owned or ex-rental but are in very good condition.

Though it was overlong I did enjoy Shutter Island and loved the cinematography.

Permalink | Leave a comment »

Tenebrae (Dario Argento, 1980)

Mon, 04 Jul 2011 05:14:30 -0700

After seeing screenshots from this disc compared to the the French Blu-Ray release I was considering not purchasing it. The French release appears to offer a higher level of definition (pun intended) but is very expensive. Also, some viewers have reported that there are some sound problems too. However, the price of this Arrow release is much cheaper and offers a Kim Newman and Alan Jones audio commentary which I am eager to rip from the disc and listen too. Also, it is pleasing to see that artist Rick Melton has avoided going for his useful 'T&A' approach to commissioned artwork. This is much more tasteful and captures one of Argento's most iconic shots.

Permalink | Leave a comment »

Don't Look Now (Nicholas Roeg, 1973)

Sat, 02 Jul 2011 09:41:30 -0700

All home video releases of this classic horror film have suffered from poor audio. However, this Optimum Blu-Ray release has had Nicholas Roeg's involvement and if the online reviews are correct this should be the best way to experience the film yet.

Permalink | Leave a comment »

The Vaccines - Wreckin' Bar (ra ra ra)

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 12:21:35 -0700

These days, it is very rare that I listen to 'new' music. One of the good things about the BBC's annual coverage of Glastonbury is that it can bring to your attention bands that you have not yet heard of. During Friday's coverage I heard a song called Wreckin' Bar (ra ra ra) by The Vaccines. I cannot recall being as excited by a song, or a band, for quite sometime. This led to me to download the album and I was equally impressed by many of the other songs on the album.

Permalink | Leave a comment »

Xfm 25: The Smiths - The Queen is Dead

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 12:15:05 -0700

Yesterday was the last Sunday of the month and that can only mean one thing: a new episode of 25 on Xfm. This episode, already the sixth of the series, looks at The Smiths album The Queen is Dead. Being a big fan of The Smiths, this has been a labour of love for Sam. This is reflected by the large amount of interviewees. Featuring in this episode are: Johnny Marr, Mani, Guy Garvey (look out for his frank yet hilarious confession half way through), Brett Anderson, Clint Boon, Billy Bragg and Dr Eoin Devereux from the University of Limerick.

25 / 6: “The Queen Is Dead” June. by Xfm 25 on Mixcloud

Permalink | Leave a comment »

Get Him to the Greek (Nicholas Stoller, 2010)

Sun, 26 Jun 2011 11:35:42 -0700

I cannot say that I am fond of Russell Brand particularly but I still enjoyed this film. This track, taken from the film, absolutely cracked me up:

Permalink | Leave a comment »

Amer (Hélène Cattet and Bruno Forzani, 2009)

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 13:10:16 -0700

Labelled as a homage to the giallo, I have been wanting watch Amer for a while now just to see what all the fuss is about.

Permalink | Leave a comment »

The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (Joseph Sargent, 1974)

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 13:02:09 -0700

This was first order from the US site Blu-Rays for Everyone. This has been released as a Best Buy exclusive which means that it is very difficult for those outside of the US to order a copy. Thankfully, Blu-Rays for Everyone has all of the US supermarket exclusives for sale at sensible prices and do not over charge for shipping. Naturally, their service comes highly recommend. I am ashamed to admit that I first saw this film last year and was absolutely blown away by it. The remake pales in comparison.

Permalink | Leave a comment »

Witchfinder General (Michael Reeves, 1968)

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 12:52:33 -0700

Now that is what I call cover art. I didn't really enjoy this when I first viewed it several years ago. But after hearing good things about this Blu-Ray disc I am eager to give it another chance. I am also looking forward to hearing the Ben Halligan and Michael Armstrong audio commentary. Ben teaches at the University of Salford and authored an excellent biography on Reeves.

Permalink | Leave a comment »

All the President's Men (Alan J. Pakula, 1976)

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 13:53:42 -0700

I had been put off from buying the US release of this classic thriller because of its ridiculously high price tag and its impractical digibook packaging. Then earlier this week I found that it had been released on Blu-Ray Germany at a cheaper price and in the conventional Blu-Ray case.

Permalink | Leave a comment »

Kiss Me Deadly (Robert Aldrich, 1955)

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 09:42:20 -0700

The MGM DVD release has long deserved an upgrade and at long last here it is on Blu-Ray courtesy of the American label Criterion. My copy arrived today courtesy of Planet Axel. Unfortunately, the top of the case is very badly damaged. An email to Planet Axel and two hours later I was told a replacement will be on its way. Now that is what I call service.

Permalink | Leave a comment »