Okay, so my third shelf needs to be swapped with the second. I know it's confusing, but that's what state my DVD collection is in for some reason! It's easily sorted, anyway, and at least it's in some semblance of alphabetical order:
Apocalypse Now (1979, dir Francis Ford Coppola) One of the greatest war movies ever made, this is the extended "Redux" version. Coppola's film is still an amazing experience, way ahead of its time and full of classic moments (most famously the helicopter "Ride Of The Valkyries" sequence), with superb performances from Martin Sheen and a deliciously oddball Marlon Brando. Brilliant.
Armageddon (1998, dir Michael Bay) This was actually the first DVD I ever watched, and I bought it purely because I wanted a big movie experience with lots of visual effects and surround sound. And that's what I got. This is still one of Michael Bay's best movies, for pure popcorn enjoyment. Big dumb fun.
Army Of Darkness (1992, dir Sam Raimi) God, you could write a book about the number of times this film has been released, and the various versions of the film itself. This is the Anchor Bay release with the alternate ending as a deleted scene. The third Evil Dead film is much jokier than the others, and a moderate amount of fun. It basically lives or dies on your love of Bruce Campbell as the wise-ass hero with a penchant for killing "deadites".
Assault On Precinct 13 (2005, dir Jean-Francois Richet) Not the John Carpenter original, I'm sorry. I'm not sure why I even bought this – it must have been a bad month for films. From what I remember, it's not a bad film, just incredibly formulaic.
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999, dir Jay Roach) I've seen the Austin Powers sequels at the cinema, and each experience was awful. It's very strange, but people never laughed at these films in the cinema. I think their ideal home is on DVD (indeed, the original film bombed at the cinema, but found its niche on home-video). This is a pretty aimless sequel that basically remakes the first film with a few twists. Not terrible, but disappointing.
Austin Powers In Goldmember (2002, dir Jay Roach) This was much better than Spy Who Shagged Me, primarily because the story was entirely different. My tolerance for Goldmember as a character is also pretty high, and there are some brilliant sequences here – like the medical examination and the Japanese subtitling. Good fun.
Back To The Future Trilogy (1985/1989/1990, dir Robert Zemeckis) A childhood favourite of mine, these films will always have a special place in my heart. As a kid, I wanted to actually be Michael J. Fox and find a time-machine. Such brilliant, clever, quotable family films. The original is the best, but I love big chunks of the second, and the third has grown on me with age. This box-set is actually Region 4 (purely because it was released there first and had a black case, unlike the blue-silver US/UK box-set – picky, moi?)
Batman Begins (2005, dir Christopher Nolan) A simply stunning revamp of the Batman premise, stripping it down to make it realistic and relevant for modern audiences. A brilliant script, packed full of great moments, and impeccably acted by a superb cast. I'm desperate to see the sequel this summer. This Special Edition DVD also came with a tiny comic-book! Awesome.
Battlestar Galactica: Mini-Series (2003, dir Michael Rymer) After realizing some buzz had grown around BSGs first season on Sky One, I delved into the mini-series to test the water… then devoured the TV show. A textbook example of how to take a cheesy joke of a TV show and breath new life into it, for it to eventually become one of the defining sci-fi series of the 00s. Great stuff.
Being John Malkovich (1999, dir Spike Jonz) Quite an early purchase for me, and one that I made purely because of my intrigue in the crazy premise. I'm glad I made the jump, as anything director Jonz or writer Charlie Kaufman do now is near-essential viewing for me. A unique, rewarding, intelligent, bonkers film. A modern classic.
Black Hawk Down (2001, dir Ridley Scott) I know this film has quite a big following, but it didn't really connect with me. I can barely even remember it. Obviously, it was technically amazing and Scott's eye for realism is beyond reproach… but I don’t remember being amazed by this. I've only seen it once. Time to reassess?
Blade (1998, dir Stephen Norrington) In some circles, this is considered the film that dragged the superhero genre into the 21st-Century – not Spider-Man. I have to agree. This is a really enjoyable comic-book adaptation, nicely performed and directed. I applaud the fact it has some grizzly scenes, and the opening nightclub/blood shower fight sequence is fantastic.
Blade Trinity (2004, dir David Goyer) Yeah, I need to rearrange my Blade DVDs. Okay, the final film of the trilogy is bad. It's more like an expensive TV show Pilot (which is what the franchise became), and writer Goyer just messes up his own property. Did he really think it would be a good idea to overshadow Blade with two wise-ass characters, in a plot that involves Dracula? Yes. Yes, he did. Oh dear.
Blade II (2002, dir Guillermo Del Toro) Wow, what an amazing sequel! Refreshingly different, blessed with a more pulpy concept and some brilliant effects work. Fine support from the likes of Ron Perlman, too. Just a really fun and snappy follow-up that I enjoy rewatching more than the original.
Blazing Saddles (1974, dir Mel Brooks) A true classic, undeniably. But have you seen it lately? There are some interminable waits between the "classic scenes" we all remember. An intelligent and affectionate spoof, certainly -- but the pace is so sloooow.
Blue Velvet (1986, dir David Lynch) Perhaps the defining film of Lynch's career, this is a really classy, unsettling trip into a suburban nightmare. Really strange and eerie, with flashes of madness from Dennis Hopper. A great film, although it's not my personal fave of Lynch's oeuvre.
The Bourne Identity (2002, dir Doug Liman) I bought this because someone at work said they enjoyed it in the cinema. It was a very good espionage film, with some memorable fights, and I liked the premise. Of course, now it's viewed as part 1 of a genre redefining trilogy, but back in the day… it was slick and good fun, but I didn't think it was changing "the rules".
Quite weighty that third shelf, although lightened by a few comedies and less serious comic-book goings-on. Shelf #4 coming up, and you'll be glad to hear it continues properly with the B's…
