Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2006 2:47 am
Garth Marenghi's Darkplace – The Complete Series – R2 PAL
It is a fact that Marenghi *is* the best horror writer ever published. It's only because of the social messages in his novels that he is overlooked by the majority of people, who prefer the less-cerebral Stephen King or Dean Kootz. Now, at long last, the Marenghi scripted 'Darkplace' which was made in the early 80's but never screened on TV can be seen by all. And it's terrifying. No wonder it was shelved by Channel 4 at the time, screening the episodes then would undoubtedly lead to complaints. But the horrific content wasn't the only reason it was deemed "Too Hot for TV". Here too Marenghi spins hardhitting social commentary in his writing. Is Scotch Mist terrifying for its story of Scottish ghosts murdering without reason and its talk of deep fried burgers? Or even more terrifying for its hard hitting plot strand on racism? These episode are shown with insightful interviews with the actors and producers which only confirm how far ahead of its time Darkplace was. It's just a shame Peru was the only country to experience Darkplace as it was meant to be seen.
Masters of Horror: S1 Vol 1 7 Disc Set – R2 PAL
Yes, hard is it is to believe, the UK actually gets something cheaper than the US! The first seven episodes of the cable series are collected in this set, which includes all the extras from the US single disc releases. All in all theres over 21 hours of extras as well as the seven episodes. What's more the pack cost only £17.99!
Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law Vol 2 2 Disc Set – R1 NTSC
The best of the Adult Swim shows – at times it's exceedingly cleaver with its used of old Hanna Barbera characters. I've seen the first three episodes, and the Jetsons one in particular was hilarious.
Ice Age 2 – The Meltdown 2 Disc Set – R2 PAL
The 2 disc set does have a lot of stuff on it, but it seems to be in very small bits and pieces, with most of the features being 2 or 3 minutes at a time only. I've not watched it yet, but the new Scrat short – No Time for Nuts features Time Travel! Good to see Fox return to slipcases instead of slipcovers for their 2 disc sets.
Maid Marian and her Merry Men S3 2 Disc Set – R2 PAL
With Robin Hood on BBC1 every Saturday night at the moment, it's good to see the real story kept alive with Maid Marian. This release includes a Christmas Special (yay!), a commentary with Kate 'Maid Marian' Lonergan (yay!) and another comic strip booklet.
One Foot In The Grave Series 6 2 Disc Set – R2 PAL
The final series. It’s a 2 disc set, but the two missing Christmas Specials aren't in the set, yet, most annoyingly they are in the complete One Foot In The Grave boxset, which came out the same time as this was released. So the poor fools like me, who supported the range's individual releases miss out. "I don't believe it!"
The Smoking Room Series 2 2 Disc Set – R2 PAL
I had doubts about this, but Series 1 was fantastic. It's not laugh out loud funny, but its wonderful writing as all of the characters are real, and the more you get to know them, the funnier it is. It’s a shame BBC3 canned the show after this series, but perhaps it was the writer's choice. There's only so much you can do on a single set with limited characters and real-time action.
Carnival – The Complete Second Series 6 Disc Set – R2 PAL
Although, I have yet to watch my S1 set (which I nabbed cheap from Austalia last year, so the boxes don't match)
A Nightmare on Elm Street Infinifilm Edition 2 Disc Set – R1 NTSC
I'm a lot more interested in the special features on this than the actual film (being as I have the 7 film boxset). That said, a lot of the features are repeated from the boxset. But I'm sure this will still be an insightful supplemental package.
Pokemon Lucario and the Mystery of Mew 2 Disc Set – R1 NTSC
Another Pokemon movie. More Jessie and James (I hope) and if not, there's the second disc hosting the 10th Anniversary The Mastermind of Mirage Pokemon, which probably does. Feature Jessie and James that is. I know Brock's in it, he's on the front.
Kicking and Screaming - R2 PAL
A History of Violence – R2 PAL
Shopgirl – R2 PAL
A "3 for £20" selection. Looking forward to A History of Violence first, but sadly its an Entertainment In Video release… so I'm sure there's something wrong with the disc somewhere.
Derek Acorah's Ghost Towns Series 2 4 Disc Set – R2 PAL
I'm sorry, but I've just got to copy the description of the first episode, because it explains how wonderful yet silly the whole show is in one paragraph – remember this is supposed to be real:
In the Ancient High House museum, Derek discovers a vortex and is punched in the stomach. Then it's Danniella's turn for some spiritual abuse as Derek channels a spirit that calls her a 'slag' and makes her cry. Other locations include The Surgery, The Gatehouse Theatre and The Stafford Arms public house.
Derek's still not topped the extra-terrestrial spirits he channelled in a Most Haunted Live yet though.
The Little Mermaid Platinum Edition 2 Disc Set – R1 NTSC
Some animated film or other that you may have heard of. I understand it is quite popular at the moment.
Beavis and Butt-head Do America Special Collector's Edition – R1 NTSC
I like how Paramount include the apostrophe on the "collectors". It’s a Special Edition that belongs to a collector. And they are right, it does belong to a collector. It's a shame, but the Beavis and Butt-head movie is vastly underrated by the majority of people. I suppose the animation just isn't "flashy" enough to appeal to some, even though it's perfect for the subject.
Trumptonshire Box Set 3 Disc Set – R2 PAL
This is it. The ultimate retro-set for any British 20-something or over. We all grew up in Trumptonshire, spending our time in Camberwick Green, Chigley or even Trumpton itself. I think, yes, I'm crying a tear of pure nostalgia now, just thinking about it.
It is a fact that Marenghi *is* the best horror writer ever published. It's only because of the social messages in his novels that he is overlooked by the majority of people, who prefer the less-cerebral Stephen King or Dean Kootz. Now, at long last, the Marenghi scripted 'Darkplace' which was made in the early 80's but never screened on TV can be seen by all. And it's terrifying. No wonder it was shelved by Channel 4 at the time, screening the episodes then would undoubtedly lead to complaints. But the horrific content wasn't the only reason it was deemed "Too Hot for TV". Here too Marenghi spins hardhitting social commentary in his writing. Is Scotch Mist terrifying for its story of Scottish ghosts murdering without reason and its talk of deep fried burgers? Or even more terrifying for its hard hitting plot strand on racism? These episode are shown with insightful interviews with the actors and producers which only confirm how far ahead of its time Darkplace was. It's just a shame Peru was the only country to experience Darkplace as it was meant to be seen.
Masters of Horror: S1 Vol 1 7 Disc Set – R2 PAL
Yes, hard is it is to believe, the UK actually gets something cheaper than the US! The first seven episodes of the cable series are collected in this set, which includes all the extras from the US single disc releases. All in all theres over 21 hours of extras as well as the seven episodes. What's more the pack cost only £17.99!
Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law Vol 2 2 Disc Set – R1 NTSC
The best of the Adult Swim shows – at times it's exceedingly cleaver with its used of old Hanna Barbera characters. I've seen the first three episodes, and the Jetsons one in particular was hilarious.
Ice Age 2 – The Meltdown 2 Disc Set – R2 PAL
The 2 disc set does have a lot of stuff on it, but it seems to be in very small bits and pieces, with most of the features being 2 or 3 minutes at a time only. I've not watched it yet, but the new Scrat short – No Time for Nuts features Time Travel! Good to see Fox return to slipcases instead of slipcovers for their 2 disc sets.
Maid Marian and her Merry Men S3 2 Disc Set – R2 PAL
With Robin Hood on BBC1 every Saturday night at the moment, it's good to see the real story kept alive with Maid Marian. This release includes a Christmas Special (yay!), a commentary with Kate 'Maid Marian' Lonergan (yay!) and another comic strip booklet.
One Foot In The Grave Series 6 2 Disc Set – R2 PAL
The final series. It’s a 2 disc set, but the two missing Christmas Specials aren't in the set, yet, most annoyingly they are in the complete One Foot In The Grave boxset, which came out the same time as this was released. So the poor fools like me, who supported the range's individual releases miss out. "I don't believe it!"
The Smoking Room Series 2 2 Disc Set – R2 PAL
I had doubts about this, but Series 1 was fantastic. It's not laugh out loud funny, but its wonderful writing as all of the characters are real, and the more you get to know them, the funnier it is. It’s a shame BBC3 canned the show after this series, but perhaps it was the writer's choice. There's only so much you can do on a single set with limited characters and real-time action.
Carnival – The Complete Second Series 6 Disc Set – R2 PAL
Although, I have yet to watch my S1 set (which I nabbed cheap from Austalia last year, so the boxes don't match)
A Nightmare on Elm Street Infinifilm Edition 2 Disc Set – R1 NTSC
I'm a lot more interested in the special features on this than the actual film (being as I have the 7 film boxset). That said, a lot of the features are repeated from the boxset. But I'm sure this will still be an insightful supplemental package.
Pokemon Lucario and the Mystery of Mew 2 Disc Set – R1 NTSC
Another Pokemon movie. More Jessie and James (I hope) and if not, there's the second disc hosting the 10th Anniversary The Mastermind of Mirage Pokemon, which probably does. Feature Jessie and James that is. I know Brock's in it, he's on the front.
Kicking and Screaming - R2 PAL
A History of Violence – R2 PAL
Shopgirl – R2 PAL
A "3 for £20" selection. Looking forward to A History of Violence first, but sadly its an Entertainment In Video release… so I'm sure there's something wrong with the disc somewhere.
Derek Acorah's Ghost Towns Series 2 4 Disc Set – R2 PAL
I'm sorry, but I've just got to copy the description of the first episode, because it explains how wonderful yet silly the whole show is in one paragraph – remember this is supposed to be real:
In the Ancient High House museum, Derek discovers a vortex and is punched in the stomach. Then it's Danniella's turn for some spiritual abuse as Derek channels a spirit that calls her a 'slag' and makes her cry. Other locations include The Surgery, The Gatehouse Theatre and The Stafford Arms public house.
Derek's still not topped the extra-terrestrial spirits he channelled in a Most Haunted Live yet though.
The Little Mermaid Platinum Edition 2 Disc Set – R1 NTSC
Some animated film or other that you may have heard of. I understand it is quite popular at the moment.
Beavis and Butt-head Do America Special Collector's Edition – R1 NTSC
I like how Paramount include the apostrophe on the "collectors". It’s a Special Edition that belongs to a collector. And they are right, it does belong to a collector. It's a shame, but the Beavis and Butt-head movie is vastly underrated by the majority of people. I suppose the animation just isn't "flashy" enough to appeal to some, even though it's perfect for the subject.
Trumptonshire Box Set 3 Disc Set – R2 PAL
This is it. The ultimate retro-set for any British 20-something or over. We all grew up in Trumptonshire, spending our time in Camberwick Green, Chigley or even Trumpton itself. I think, yes, I'm crying a tear of pure nostalgia now, just thinking about it.
Can't wait!
