Cinema: May 2008 Archives
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Over the last while I've been enjoying the glorious high definition of blu ray and HD DVD, however since the cinema studios like the idea of maintaining their monopolies a lot of blu ray releases are region encoded. Since my current blu ray player is a US import that limits me a bit.
There is, however, light at the end of the tunnel.
Since HD DVD is now more or less defunct (you can still pick up plenty of titles at bargain prices) the hardware manufacturers have started focusing on blu ray. While the players are still a lot more expensive than DVD players, you can now find a couple of options below 250 euro. What this means is that a standalone blu ray player is now cheaper than a PS3, which is a good thing (I really don't want a gaming console!)
Sigmatek's SBR 1000 weighs in at just over 230 euro, while Samsung's BD P1400 cost just over 240 euro. Neither model is particularly high end, but I am seriously considering picking up one of them, as I'd like to be able to take advantage of some of the EU vendors' disc offers.
On a sidenote I also spotted today that Amazon is listing Iron Man is being available for pre-order. What struck me as a bit odd was that they neglected to provide a release date!
EDIT: Home Cinema Choice has a review of the Samsung BD P1400
This year is turning out to be a bumper year for James Bond fans.
The Ian Fleming centenary has acted as a wonderful catalyst for the likes of Penguin, who are releasing a series of new covers, which are simply gorgeous.
Here's the one from Casino Royale:
It maybe new, but it's got that wonderful 60s retro feel.
The full set of books will be available at the end of May, though they haven't announced if they will be making a box set available yet.
Of course there's also the new Bond film which is set to be released on October 31st.
Earlier this year Royal Mail released a set of stamps to commemorate the centenary, while the Imperial War Museum is holding a really nice exhibition.
Of course the main thing behind Bond was the books, so you could do worse than spend some time acquiring some of the first editions. While you can get some of the first editions for as little as 30 or 40 euro there are some going under the auction hammer next Friday for prices ranging from 500 euro to ten thousand euro. More information is available on the Bloomsbury Auctions' site (you can bid via eBay)
The Ian Fleming centenary has acted as a wonderful catalyst for the likes of Penguin, who are releasing a series of new covers, which are simply gorgeous.
Here's the one from Casino Royale:
It maybe new, but it's got that wonderful 60s retro feel.The full set of books will be available at the end of May, though they haven't announced if they will be making a box set available yet.
Of course there's also the new Bond film which is set to be released on October 31st.
Earlier this year Royal Mail released a set of stamps to commemorate the centenary, while the Imperial War Museum is holding a really nice exhibition.
Of course the main thing behind Bond was the books, so you could do worse than spend some time acquiring some of the first editions. While you can get some of the first editions for as little as 30 or 40 euro there are some going under the auction hammer next Friday for prices ranging from 500 euro to ten thousand euro. More information is available on the Bloomsbury Auctions' site (you can bid via eBay)
Top Gun is not a "chef d'oeuvre', but it's great fun.
It has dated a bit since its initial release over 20 years ago, but it's still enjoyable (Yes I do have the special edition DVD and the HD DVD release.)
So how about Top Gun tshirts?
It has dated a bit since its initial release over 20 years ago, but it's still enjoyable (Yes I do have the special edition DVD and the HD DVD release.)
So how about Top Gun tshirts?
DVDs.ie has been taken offline, as the server simply did not have enough RAM.
I've ordered extra RAM and will put the site back online once I have the RAM installed.
For the past 48 hours the site has been slow, while the server itself has been nearly always inaccessible via ssh, due to MySQL eating cpu and ram. It seems like the GoogleBot started crawling and "upset" the backend, which is more than a bit silly.
Ah well.. I needed to get more RAM for that server anyway
I've ordered extra RAM and will put the site back online once I have the RAM installed.
For the past 48 hours the site has been slow, while the server itself has been nearly always inaccessible via ssh, due to MySQL eating cpu and ram. It seems like the GoogleBot started crawling and "upset" the backend, which is more than a bit silly.
Ah well.. I needed to get more RAM for that server anyway
While I have my reservations about the film I Robot the latest special edition boxset is truly impressive.
Of course you'd have problems fitting it in with your "normal" DVDs.....
Play are currently offering it for about 77 euro including shipping. I presume they'll ship it to Ireland, as it would be classed as a DVD, but if anyone knows otherwise please let me know
Of course you'd have problems fitting it in with your "normal" DVDs.....
Play are currently offering it for about 77 euro including shipping. I presume they'll ship it to Ireland, as it would be classed as a DVD, but if anyone knows otherwise please let me know
As I mentioned some time ago, this year mark's the centenary of Ian Fleming's birth.
While the Royal Mail have issued a gorgeous set of stamps to commemorate the man and his most famous creation - James Bond, the Imperial War Museum in London is marking the occasion with an exhibition.
The exhibition, For Your Eyes Only, is being held in the Imperial War Museum and is well worth the entrance fee. Not only does it chronicle the life and work of Fleming, but it also explores the literary and cinematic world of James Bond.
The exhibits include a very impressive selection of international editions of the books along with some of the props and costumes from the films, including an atomic bomb!
When I was a teenager my cousin took me around most of the museums in London, such as the Imperial War Museum. I may not have been as deeply affected by some of the themes as I am now, I was always impressed by their usage of multimedia. Over 20 years later the technology has advanced considerably and so have the displays.
The James Bond exhibition is a rich multimedia experience and allows you to explore many of the themes "a la carte". Unlike so many exhibitions that are simply flat and static, the use of multimedia enriches the overall experience and allows you to explore in your own way.
If you get a chance to drop in before next year (when it closes) I'd highly recommend it.
While the Royal Mail have issued a gorgeous set of stamps to commemorate the man and his most famous creation - James Bond, the Imperial War Museum in London is marking the occasion with an exhibition.
The exhibition, For Your Eyes Only, is being held in the Imperial War Museum and is well worth the entrance fee. Not only does it chronicle the life and work of Fleming, but it also explores the literary and cinematic world of James Bond.
The exhibits include a very impressive selection of international editions of the books along with some of the props and costumes from the films, including an atomic bomb!
When I was a teenager my cousin took me around most of the museums in London, such as the Imperial War Museum. I may not have been as deeply affected by some of the themes as I am now, I was always impressed by their usage of multimedia. Over 20 years later the technology has advanced considerably and so have the displays.
The James Bond exhibition is a rich multimedia experience and allows you to explore many of the themes "a la carte". Unlike so many exhibitions that are simply flat and static, the use of multimedia enriches the overall experience and allows you to explore in your own way.
If you get a chance to drop in before next year (when it closes) I'd highly recommend it.
