Advantages: Great effects, stood the test of time very well, fantastic cast
Disadvantages: Sometimes comes across as funny when its trying to be scary/thriller

...Speed - 2 disk special edition "You think you're going to see a feel-good movie about amphetamines and suddenly you're in a bus!?" This is a Will & Grace quote about Speed that I love, and if Ciao allowed enough characters, I'd have put that as the title of this review. I am being rather cheeky in writing this review. Rather than my usual trick of borrowing housemates DVDs (with or without their knowledge!) this one I bought for out housemate 'Secret Santa' and wanted to watch it before giving it! *** The Movie *** The opening of the movie downright confused me the first time I watched the movie. I knew it was supposed to be about a speeding bus - so why the hell were we in a lift! The first 30minutes are seemingly irrelevant to the 'bomb on a bus' premise of the movie, except that we learn some background on Jack Traven... Read review

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Advantages: Features, size and design
Disadvantages: Not good enough for gaming

..., I find they are more than adequate to use around the house, for example when in the kitchen. As mentioned, the remote is a neat device with all the controls you would ever need and it is fairly responsive and easy on the batteries (I have yet to replace them after over 10 months!). Another neat feature of many HP laptops and desktops, including this model, is the lightscribe feature. I have used this a number of times and I have never been disappointed with the outcome. The software that HP have preinstalled on the computer is extremely easy to use, yet advanced enough to have some creative freedom. This model is branded as a 'Special Edition' as it has slightly better graphics and speed over the standard range. Though not the best gaming machine out there, i have been more than satisfied with the way it handles most computer... Read review

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Advantages: It's a classic
Disadvantages: None

...Aliens is one of the greatest sequels of all time. My feelings on the film are in much greater detail are available in my review of the movie itself. However this review is based more on the content of the DVD and its features. This is a single disc special edition version. Brief Story Outline 57 years after her first encounter with the alien infested planet ( LV-426 ) Ripley returns with a force of marines to investigate a colony now located there. It soon becomes apparent the alien menance is more than they bargined for. This movie is largely regarded as one of the few example were a sequel is worthy of its predeccessor. Somehow Cameron was able to make a great horror movie into a great action movie whilst holding onto the feel of the original. Its a remarkable feat indeed given the impact of "Alien." The movies cast... Read review

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Advantages: A classic film, beautifully acted
Disadvantages: A little slow moving at times

...written throughout and Nicholson delivers and excellent performance really capturing the character perfectly, for which he deservedly achieved an academy award. The special edition DVD here is really worth buying, it contains the following: 1. Commentary by: director Milos Forman and producers Michael Douglas and Saul Zaentz I found this very interesting and entertaining, providing some insightful points about the film. Michael Douglas produced the film and was originally going to cast his dad Kirk as McMurphy before deciding he was a little old for the role and opted for the younger Nicholson, an excellent choice. 2. "The Making of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," a 48-minute documentary featuring the actors, the moviemakers, and writer Ken Kesey recounting the history of the original novel to its stage and movie adaptations I found... Read review

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Advantages: A Hollywood classic !
Disadvantages: None.

...For ages, I owned a VHS of "Casablanca" and enjoyed digging it out every so often to watch when there was nothing better to do. The tape was of a perfectly acceptable quality, so when I finally got a DVD player, I resisted the urge to replace it with the DVD version and, instead, concentrated on getting films I didn't already have. However, recently I found the 2 disc special edition online for £6.99 and thought it a 'must buy'. And I was right. First, the contents of the set (note: this isn't the box set with additional items, this is the version in a normal plastic case) On disc 1 is the film itself, in a Digitally re-mastered form; 2 commentaries, one by US film critic Roger Ebert, the other by film historian Rudy Behlmer; an introduction by Lauren Bacall (Humprey Bogart's widow) and two trailers. The second disc contains two... Read review

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Advantages: Two great films in one box set
Disadvantages: Have to buy Die Hard 3 separately.

...is that Die Hard3 was done by a different Studio and in the UK there was a bit of a problem with the distribution rights, so Die Hard 3 was sold as an individual purchse and not with this box set. Shame. Since then the films have been sold in a multi pack without the extras. It is also funny to see Robert Patrick of Terminator 2 in this as well. If you can get the boxed set of two films do so, the third is available as a special edition with the same flavour of extras and a different ending. If you cant you'll have to buy them individually and that may work out a bit more, but will still be worth it. With Die Hard 4 currently in production interest in these DVD's will soon be raised again. Oh by the way these are the unedited versions of the film, which became evident when watching the second film with the stabbing in the eye by Mac... Read review

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Advantages: Impressve cast list, smith's previous efforts
Disadvantages: Too much going on, doesn't work on my DVD player, may offend

...DOGMA (1999) DVD - SPECIAL EDITION THE STORY: - When two fallen angels, Bartleby (Ben Affleck) and Loki (Matt Damon) who have been banished from heaven by God (Alannis Morrisette), find about about a religious loophole that will allow them to return to heaven, it is up to a band of mis-fits to try and stop them. The good guys comprise of two stoner's Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (Kevin Smith) as mis-guideed prophets who must help a women (Linda Fiorentino) get to the church where the Angels plan to ascend, the 13th Apostle (Chris Rock), the muse Serendipity (Salma Hayek) and now and again the voice of god the Mettatron (Alan Rickman) provides sagely advice to the group. Opposing them is the Golgothan (a sh@t demon), a fallen muse Azrael (Jason Lee) and the sygian triplets. The only thing the angels don't realise... Read review

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Advantages: british horror, powerful performances, britt ekland, intelligent dialogue
Disadvantages: sadly dated, britt ekland's body double.

...straight laced island officialis perfect. and the way they play each other off is wonderful, the further the Woodward character falls into the web of intrigue on the island, the more sinsister Christopher Lee begins to appear. I will admit that as a youngster watching it for the first time it was with the knowledge that Britt Ekland was in a nude scene in this film, I can now having watched this special edition confirm that it was a body double and not the woman herself, but hey, i still susupend my disbelief, so why not. Overall this is a film that needs to have some of its plot points to be revealed during the watching of the film, so I'll stay quiet about them. but generally, if you dont like watching films made on old quality fim, or films with a 1970's drift to them, you will be curiously bored all the way through, stay away... Read review

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Advantages: Collectors Editon
Disadvantages: Can be a bit pricey

...If you haven't already purchased the regular edition of Confessions Of A Dancefloor I would recommend purchasing this limited/deluxe edition It includes a bonus track "Fighting Spirt" which wasn't included on the regular editon , a book with some absolutely stunning pictures of Madonna and a 1 months trial membership to Icon (Madonna's Official Fanclub). Once you have entered your members code you can browse the forums, catch up on all the latest gossip and download another exclusive members only track "SuperPop" , which in my humble opinion should have also been include on this edition. I think there a lot of outstanding tracks on this album including the Two UK Number 1 singles Hung Up (The one with Abbas Gimme Gimme sample) and Sorry. It also includes the 3rd Single to be released from this Album , Get Together which looks like... Read review

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Advantages: Stacks upon stacks of extra features.
Disadvantages: Unecessary inclusion of 4:3 ratio version.

...Now, Men in Black was already a superb film. What has always been good about it is it's perfect suitability to just plonk yourself down and watch it on the spur of the moment. With the incredible amount of extra features included on this DVD you will be plonking yourself down for a considerable time to come. All of the features are perfectly matched to the style of the film. My particular favourites are the out-takes (an excellent one involving the out of control ball seen - without the ball) and the scene editing workshop. At least you can have a go at putting a film together. My only criticism is that the whole DVD fills you with a feeling of greed and you can't help but want more.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful