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Bill Bailey - The Classic Collection : Part Troll / Bewilderness / Cosmic Jam (3 Disc Box Set)

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > DVD
by: Bill Bailey

November 27, 2006
I love it all- the only downside was that Bewilderness and Cosmic Jam had the wrong titles written on the disc and thus did not correspond with the films they actually were! Oh well :) Charming little quirk perhaps...

Excellent purchase though!

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Ashes to Ashes: Complete BBC Series 1 [2008]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > DVD
starring: Philip Glenister, Keeley Hawes, Dean Andrews, Marshall Lancaster, Montserrat Lombard

May 05, 2008
I loved Life on Mars! Its one of the best tv programmes of recent years.
And Im not sure making a spin-off from it was the best way to go.
I liked that the end of LOM left you in a bit of confusment,what was a dream? What wasn't? However when you see this, what really was a dream is pretty clear (unless series 2 suprise the hell out of me)and I didnt want to know what!

Ashes to Ashes isnt bad. I still love to watch DI Hunt (Philip Glenister is a brilliant actor) and some stories were great but I have trouble with Alex.....Keeley Hawes is good but I cant decide how I feel about her character. She's a bit annoying and not in a funny way. It's what make this show hard to review....I loved Sam and I loved watching him and ... Read More:

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Blade Runner: The Final Cut [HD DVD] [1982]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > DVD
starring: Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, Daryl Hannah
directed by: Ridley Scott

December 03, 2007
What can I say that hasn't been said a million times before. Visually stunning glimpse into a future that is already dawning. Every scene is meticulously crafted. The darkness, the subtle undertones, the theme of identity and what it is to be human. The haunting music...I could go on but I won't - you just have to experience it.
Dangerous Days - the included documentary is fascinating, although I was disappointed that it wasn't also HD, but it is a must watch for any BR fan.
Oh and I thought the film transfer was excellent - really showing off the detail and sharpness of HD DVD as a format.

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The Diving Bell And The Butterfly [2007]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > DVD
starring: Mathieu Amalric, Lopez Garmendia, Emma De Caunes, Jean-Philippe Watkins, Nicolas Le Riche
directed by: Julian Schnabel

June 09, 2008
The book is so beautiful a piece of personal philosophy that I went to see the film with some trepidation, but if anything the film adds to the book by Bauby. The film is beautifully shot, funny and moving (but not in a sentimental way).

The director (who does not speak fluent French) chose to retain the original language of the book and this, I believe speaks volumes in a world of cinema where the digestability of a film by a mass audience is often classed as more important than retaining the soul of a piece of artistic cinema. The film was originally meant to be made by Pathe and star Jonny Depp - I think a tragedy was averted!

This film can be enjoyed (yes enjoyed - despite its theme it really isnt at all depressing) ... Read More:

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Manchester United: Double Season Double Pack (3 Discs) [2008]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > DVD
starring: Manchester United

July 14, 2008
The book is so beautiful a piece of personal philosophy that I went to see the film with some trepidation, but if anything the film adds to the book by Bauby. The film is beautifully shot, funny and moving (but not in a sentimental way).

The director (who does not speak fluent French) chose to retain the original language of the book and this, I believe speaks volumes in a world of cinema where the digestability of a film by a mass audience is often classed as more important than retaining the soul of a piece of artistic cinema. The film was originally meant to be made by Pathe and star Jonny Depp - I think a tragedy was averted!

This film can be enjoyed (yes enjoyed - despite its theme it really isnt at all depressing) ... Read More:

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Californication - The First Season [2007]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > DVD
starring: David Duchovny, Natascha McElhone

June 16, 2008
About 10 minutes into the first episode I could not believe that this was made in Hollywierd. Intelligent, beautifully written, good characterization, Excellent (if limited, characters "grow" very little, like life really!) acting, witty, ironic (something most Americans can't understand or believe is unpatriotic) literate without being preachy, sometimes erotic, often very sick and twisted, I can't recommend this highly enough. Even the teenage daughter is a delight to watch! Clever characters do stupid things for real reasons without you thinking it's out of character. Despite their flaws these people become real to you, I ended up caring about them, groaning as Hank does yet another really dumb thing thinking this might make him happy, smiling wistfully as ... Read More:

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Doctor Who - The Complete BBC Series 2 Box Set

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > DVD
starring: David Tennant, Billie Piper

November 20, 2006
after being amazed by series 1,series 2 steps it all up a gear and provides some stunning episodes(and a couple duds)Tennant steps into the role nicely and is definately the best doctor EVER!!!.
eppy guide-
the christmas invasion-4/5-awesome episode...highly anticipated and really paid off...a great experience.
New Earth-4/5-a fun start to series 2 with the stretched flesh that is lady Cassandra(Zoe Wanamaker)and some grotesque zombies.
Tooth and Claw-4.5/5-wow!!!a werewolf doc who episode...amazingly oozing with cool...Russel T.Davies has written a mini horror film.
School Reunion*-5/5-fantastic,one of my favourite episodes and on my list of top ten(#9)sees the return of Sarah-Jane Smith,Micky,and Anthony Head(Giles from Buffy the ... Read More:

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The Secret (Extended Edition) [2006]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > DVD
starring: Sophie Angelle; John Assaraf; Anthony Baron; Dr. Reverend Michael Beckwith; Lee Brower
directed by: Drew Heriot

April 23, 2007
and you did it by belief and thought alone, then hooray, we can all believe in The Secret!
It states in the product overview that: "This is The Secret to everything - the secret to unlimited joy, health, money, relationships, love, youth: everything you have ever wanted." !!! Well...
All I'm asking is, why are the believers of The Secret so silent when it comes to questions like why can't old people make themselves young again by the power of thought? Most people in the world want to reverse aging, yet where are the eighty year old believers in The Secret who look eighteen instead of eighty?
I've seen the argument that it can't be done because it's not _meant_ to be done. But The Secret states that one can achieve _anything_ that one wants! And ... Read More:

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Life On Mars : Complete BBC Series 1 [2006]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > DVD
starring: John Simm, Philip Glenister, Ashley Pharoah, Bharat Nalluri, Claire Parker (IV)

May 15, 2006
The title says it all.Anyone who,at the end of the series,does not want it to go on and on does not appreciate brilliant drama.If only the rest of the world could get within miles of the Poms when it comes to television drama.I forgive you for borrowing the Ashes in 2005 and putting up such a pathetic fight for them in 2006-2007.But then again,may you forever keep on giving us such brilliant dramatic films,and awful cricket teams.

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In The Shadow Of The Moon [2007]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > DVD
from: Channel 4 DVD

March 31, 2008
Unfortunately, the feature-length format is insufficient to cover this topic in any depth. The film whizzes us through the background of the space race in the 60s, then dips in and out of the various key Apollo missions - lessening a sense of the timeline of events. The footage and interviews are all good, but if, like myself, you've read a decent book/seen other documentaries on the same subject, you won't really gain much insight. The film has re-kindled my interest, however, so I'm now going to check out the [12 hour] From The Earth To The Moon series.