Feeling Blue?

Advantages: The best (apparently) of the standalone Blueray players
Disadvantages: This is no major advancement from DVD

......

sghawken 16.08.2008 · Read review
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Review of Sharp AQUOS BD-HP1

Normal service is resumed

Advantages: Great storytelling
Disadvantages: None

...Okay, the day's protest churning is over and normal service is once more resumed - a point is made or not, but dave27's back to his normal self... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ J K Rowling is quite simply one of the most glorious story tellers of the last five years or so, and those who feared she had shot her bolt with the first, excellent Harry Potter tale, HP and the Philosopher's Stone (HP1 to keep things short), needn't have worried, for her follow up story, 1998's HP and the Chamber of Secrets (HP2, of course), if anything, outdoes the original and develops the myth of the boy wizard in a tale which is much darker, much more gripping and totally absorbing. I mocked Mrs D and her childlike wonder after reading the Potter stories, but had my sarcasm shattered when I actually came to read the first book. Even then, however, HP1 was...

dave27 28.10.2001 · Read review
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Review of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - J.K. Rowling

Dirty deeds done dirt cheap

Advantages: Immense story telling
Disadvantages: A bit too dark

.... There was a hand protruding from the cloak and it was glistening, greyish, slimy-looking and scabbed, like something dead that had decayed in water..." When Harry reaches Hogwarts, the place is in a state of siege against the awful Black, although the Dementors who are guarding the entrance are every bit as unpleasant... Just as HP2 significantly upped the level of horror over the relatively lighter affair that was the original, HP3 opts for some quite eerie, genuinely frightening moments as J K Rowling develops the history as both Harry and her readers age. It's certainly a gripping, absorbing story which is a million miles away from Just William, which HP1 was at times quite reminiscent of. Many of the original characters and themes are still here, of course, with Harry rediscovering the warmth of friendship with Hermione, Ron...

dave27 29.10.2001 · Read review
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Review of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - J.K. Rowling

Premier Travel Inn Hemel Hempstead - Great Stay

Advantages: Cheap, Family Friendly.
Disadvantages: Carpark, Food

...Location of Premier Travel Inn Hemel Hempstead Central: Moor End Road Hemel Hempstead Hertfordshire HP1 1DL Driving directions: Exit the M1 at junction 8 A414 towards Hemel Hempstead. At roundabout follow the signs for Riverside Parking. The hotel is situated on Moor End Road and parking can be found in the Riverside Car Park. Exit M25 at junction 20 A41 towards Hemel Hempstead A414. then as above. This Hotel was very easy to find, even though its located next to a Crazy roundabout called the Magic roundabout, you need to see it to believe it, was told there is only two of these roundabouts in the country. Detailed Explanation on this roundabout can be found on the following site: http...

CRAFTYDONNA 30.08.2006 · Read review
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Review of Premier Travel Inn Hemel Hempstead - Central, Hemel Hempstead

Anticipation is so much better

Advantages: Great great film
Disadvantages: Not the book

...with the current technological barriers. Now these days those barriers are increasingly transparent and movie makers have extraordinary tools available to them, but nevertheless the barriers do exist and can never fully compete. HP 2 is a tremendous film, transcending the normal constraints of kids' movies in a way that makes HP1 a sad little effort by comparison. The Philosopher's Stone was good and made excellent movie viewing but there was always a nagging feeling of being cheated, left wanting and bereft of the magic that is Harry's secret. In contrast, HP2 is an adult film which will still appeal to the increasingly mature younger generation and is a very strong attempt at transferring that magic to the big screen. The adult leads from HP1, the late Richard Harris, Maggie Smith, Robbie Coltrane and Richard Harris are still present, but...

thehud 22.11.2002 · Read review
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Review of Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets (DVD)

Comfortable car with good fuel economy

Advantages: Tons of extras, competitive price
Disadvantages: tight boot opening,

...Your opininon on a car usually depends upon what you have previoulsy owned. I have always had smaller, lmuch less equipped cars, with smaller and weaker engines, etc. So for me, the Toledo is a quantum leap. I have the 110 h.p. 1.9TDi Toledo Signo Business. The car has most of those extras I never thought I would have. Adjustable height front seats, adjustable steering wheel, front and side airbags, front and back seat arm supports, electronic airconditioning, front and rear fog lights, CD player with 8 loudspeakers, electric windows (all managable from driver's seat), etc. As I bought a special "limited edition", mine even has motorized sunroof and cruise control. Good package at a reasonable (does not mean cheap) price in its category. I bought the car on a Monday morning, and the same day I was on the road towards Spain...

ha5xa 04.08.2003 · Read review
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Review of SEAT Toledo 1.9 TDi

Blancmange by looks, Blancmange by nature

Advantages: Great load space, comfortable, hugely economical
Disadvantages: Looks rubbish, cheaply built interior, visibility when parking

...: you can see everything around you and the cabin is filled with as much light as it can be without turning the damned thing in to a convertible. What you can't see, however, are any of the corners and that, coupled with the wide turning arc, will undoubtedly result in scuffs, scrapes and dents the next time you try to park one in an NCP car park. Out on the road, however, it's simply perfect. It doesn't jump and bang through potholes, it's comfortable on A- and B-type roads and can keep up with the majority of traffic on a motorway. Indeed, the 110hp 1.6litre diesel engine is a little gem. It's not a rocket-fuelled power train to hyperspace-ville, but it gets up to speed without too much effort and can cruise happily without too much cabin noise at 85mph. It can clatter at low speeds like many baby diesels and will roar like a stung...

markd_uk 03.07.2008 · Read review
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Review of Citroen Xsara Picasso 1.6 HDi 110bhp

You Can't Harry Love!

Advantages: Exciting, entertaining, enthralling!
Disadvantages: Only a few minor niggles about wanting to see more of certain characters

...and turns. It has plenty of laughs, some amazing special effects and some wonderful creations ? the Hippogriff being the most remarkable. (I think I even let out a ?WOW!? at that one.) We also only had to endure one section of a Quidditch match ? yay! And that was blissfully short. Some films can concentrate too much on the visual imagery to the detriment of the plot, but once again, Harry Potter has the right balance. Even with Alfonso Cuaron as the new director, I felt there was little wrong with this film. Those who have read the books several times might waste time nit-picking about absent or erroneous details, but for me, who has read HP3 only once, I loved the movie and would highly recommend it. I don?t feel it is a family film as much as the previous two though. For HP1 and 2, we took all four children and made it a big family...

KarenUK 26.07.2004 · Read review
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Review of Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban (DVD)

Pottering along

Advantages: You know what's going to happen
Disadvantages: Huge holes are beginning to appear

...him but I then found he worked well. There are some ?guest appearances? (for want of a better word) from, amongst others Dawn French and Lenny Henry (the latter being particularly good) but their roles felt slightly awkward ? a token cameo rather than an addition to the story. ***Direction and adaptation.*** The new director, Alfonso Cuarón (Director ? Y Tu Mamá También) had all the makings here of a blockbuster handed to him on a plate. He had an excellent book (adapted to screen by Steven Kloves) from Rowling (which had already won the hearts of the nation), an established cast (as above) and a multi-million pound budget. What could go wrong? Cuarón did stamp his mark on the film from the start. Columbus? (HP1 and 2) epic direction was out and Cuarón?s slightly more risky direction was in. Hand-held camera scenes...

CareBear 02.06.2004 · Read review
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Review of Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban (DVD)

All This And Caffeine Too

Advantages: Good deals, good coffee
Disadvantages: Limited time before stock is changed.

...RD TEL: 020 8905 6112 ENFIELD EN2 6SP PALACE GARDEN, SHOPPING CTR TEL: 020 8342 0906 HARROW, HA1 1JP 84 ST. ANN'S ROAD TEL: 020 8863 9619 HAYWARDS HEATH, RH16 3TH 8 ORCHARD SHOPPING CENTRE TEL: 01444 441 354 HEMEL HEMPSTEAD, HP1 1BL 205 MARLOWS TEL: 01442 239747 HOUNSLOW, TW3 1ES 21 THE TREATY CTR, HIGH ST TEL: 020 8577 8676 ILFORD, IG1 1BY 112 HIGH ROAD TEL: 020 8514 5038 ISLINGTON, LONDON, N1 CENTROS, PARKFIELD STREET TEL: 020 7704 6486 KIDDERMINSTER DY10 1DE 5, VICAR STREET TEL: 01562 827 849 LONDON SW19 7NS 4 WIMBLEDON HILL ROAD TEL: 020 8971 2184 LONDON, SE16 7LL SURREY QUAYS CTR, REDRIFF RD TEL: 020 7394 6065 LONDON, E15 1XD 26 THE MALL, STRATFORD TEL: 020 8536 0106 OXFORD, OX1 1NX 18 WESTGATE TEL: 01865 724 906 REDHILL, RH1 1SE UNIT 45 BELFRY...

BNibbles 22.10.2001 (28.12.2004) · Read review
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Review of Tchibo Coffee Shop