Back to Originals!

I am back to what I love the most, original DVDs! I know that these times call for "practical" measures but there are so many good releases (and collectibles) this year that are difficult to resist!

Imported from Taiwan by Warner Bros. Phils. that comes with a comic book and specially priced at PhP550.00 . No more stocks available in RP stores today

Imported from Taiwan, too, that comes with a limited edition notebook; also priced at PhP550.00. Very few copies left as of today in RP stores

This is the Region 3 cover used for the 2-Disc Limited Edition

I believe that this 2-Disc Limited Edition is also an import from Taiwan. But unlike Warner Bros., Magnavision priced this one at PhP999.000. To fight off piracy, Magnavision usually releases "inferior" copies at PhP299.00. Also available is the 1-Disc Widescreen Edition priced at PhP799.00.

This is my most-awaited DVD! While I'm no fan of locally-pressed DVDs (or CDs), this one is practically a steal for the price PhP900.00! Besides, the Tagalog subtitle makes it a collectible (aside from the movie and special features themselves)! This DVD has limited copies in RP stores. In fact, they are not on display...

Nakakahiya!

I'm used to ordering DVDs online from Amazon. Not only that their prices are discounted, they also have great service! Once, they send me a DVD copy of Saving Private Ryan by mistake. Afraid that they might have billed me for it, I told them about the incident. I asked them whether I should send it back. Because it would cost me a lot if I'd send it back, they just gave it to me for free! Of course, I wasn't billed for it. It was their mistake, they said. Then, I ordered The Pillow Book from them but it didn't arrive soon (mostly a month or less after shipping) as expected. I became worried and asked them about it. They immediately shipped another copy that reached me about a week after I have asked them. For which I was taxed heavily because they have used 2-3 days delivery option via UPS. But they also paid for it when I made a complain. After a few days or so, the first shipped Pillow arrived at my doorstep! There was a delay in the delivery process, I guess. (Eventually, I sold both Pillow to Pinoy buyers because I needed the money.)

Anyway, I found a site which sells DVDs for less than what Amazon sells! A DVD that costs $24 originally may sell in Amazon at $19 while this site would sell it at $11 or so! Imagine the difference?! So I immediately made my first order. They sent me a confirmation e-mail then informed me about the shipping that would take place soon. But after a few days, I didn't get any e-mails from them. When I went to check the status of my order in their site, it was CANCELLED! I didn't understand because I did not make any cancellations. Was there a problem with my credit card or something like that? I asked them why. Here is what they have to say:

Order # 24459919 was cancelled due to the high volume of unauthorized purchase claims from your country. We understand that you may not fall into this category and apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you. We regret that we cannot fulfill your request for orders that are to be billed or shipped to your address. Your credit card has not been charged.

OMG! Sobrang nakakahiya na tayo! It is bad enough that the customs officials tax us wrongly. (Either they tax too high or they reduce it and keep the payment to themselves!) What's worst is that they steal the items which now banned us from ordering (in some sites) abroad! Sobrang basang-basa na ang papel natin sa ibang bansa! Eventhough I am proud to be Pinoy, I just can't help but be embarrased sometimes. These people give Pinoy a bad reputation!

An SATC Must-Have!

R1 Collector's Edition Release

HBO has released information on the contents of the 20th disc in their massive Sex and the City DVD collection, due to hit stores on November 1, as well as packaging shots.

Extras will include:
• Sex Essentials - a video jukebox for advice, quips and quotes on dating, sex, fashion and more.
• Location, Location, Location - a guide to the restaurants, clubs and boutiques frequented by Carrie and friends.
• Naughty or Nice? - the ultimate test to find out which character from the series you are most like.
• You Can Quote Me On It - a "finish that phrase" game that tests your knowledge of the show.
• En-SEX-lopedia - an all encompassing guide that takes a look back at the defining moments in dating, fashion, friendship and relationships.

R2 Shoe Box Edition

Siyet! If only I am rich! *grrr*

Titanic SE DVD Updates

I have reported before that Titanic SE will be coming out in 2-disc and 4-disc versions. But the latest buzz according to Digital Bits says otherwise. Here it is:

"Let's start with Titanic, shall we? According to a new story at Home Media Retailing, Titanic will ONLY be released in a 3-disc DVD version. The original plan had been to release the film in 2-disc and 4-disc configurations, but the magazine is reporting that it was later decided (by Paramount and Fox presumably) simply to release a single 3-disc edition (presumably in all regions). Titanic will reportedly include a branching option that allows you to view deleted footage in the place it would have been included in the film (in lieu of an actual extended edition of the film). By the way, there are reports of 4-disc releases of the film in some places, but we're hearing that this is simply the 3-disc DVD set, plus the soundtrack CD. We're waiting for official confirmation from both Paramount and Fox, so stay tuned."

Moreover, Digital Bits released the supposedly (meaning rumored) deleted scenes and behind the scenes that will be included in the discs. They will be available through the branching option of the discs. To have an idea on what they are, click here.

Titanic SE will be released this October!

My First Pinoy DVD

I bought my first Pinoy (original) DVD today. This is the first one that I actually bought here in RP. I have some original Pinoy DVD movies but I bought them online (US) because they were not available here. And of course, the others were p*r*t*d. Hehehe. Just a few, though, because I feel that there weren't enough special features that Pinoy DVD movies have that would encourage me to buy them. Not to mention that VCDs (which is quite close in quality) is cheaper.

I always wanted to have a DVD copy of Live Show. I took a chance in getting one here because, first, there were only a few copies left. Second, I was hoping that the DVD copy is the uncut version. But lo and behold, it wasn't! It was the same version as that of the VCD's. Dammit! Now I really have to buy another copy online. Nakakainis! My friend was convincing me not to buy it but I still insisted on it. Ito ang napala ko. My only consolation now is that at least, if I would buy a copy online, I would have two versions: the theatrical version and the director's cut. But who needs to have the censored version, anyway?!

How did I know that the DVD copy was cut? Because I have the pirated copy. :-) It's title then was Toro and it was quite unedited. Meron pang counter on top! But it had English subtitles! Sosi! Also, I saw the legit VCD version when it was released last year. But one thing I can't forget, though, was someone wanted to buy the pirated copy from me! He would even pay PhP500 (to PhP800, if I remember it right) for it! But I said no. I thought then that I might not have the chance to own a director's copy anymore.

If you haven't seen the pirated copy, you'll know if one is cut or uncut if you'd look at the running time located in the back cover of the DVD. The Philippine release indicates 102 minutes while the international release has 111 minutes. Laki rin ng difference!

Para Maiba Naman

Bought some Korean action this time...

Make It Big (Action Comedy)
Tae Guk Gi: Brotherhood of War (Action Drama)

I was looking for Anatomy of Hell but found this instead. It was from the same French director, Catherine Breillat.

France
Romance

Newly-Acquired Titles

Korea
When I Turned Nine
Mr.Handy
Old Boy
S Diary

Spain
Bad Education

These two were bought from Pinoy DVD sellers:
For My Madonna Collection
Vision Quest (Region 1)

For My Barbra Streisand Collection
The Way We Were (Region 3)

Titanic Special Edition DVD

Last March, I posted in my blog (Bits & Pieces) about the plans for a "Titanic" Special Edition DVD packed with deleted scenes and extra features. Now, Paramount and 20th Century Fox announced its release date on October 2005! As for the exact date, it is yet to be announced. Although there would be a simultaneous release in the US and worldwide. Further details about the DVD are as follows:

1. Two releases of the DVD: 2-Disc Edition which has the "Director's Cut" of the movie and a 4-Disc Edition which had the identical 2-Disc Movie Edition and all the extras.

2. Like the LOTR Extended Edition, the film will be split into two for the highest possible video definition and audio quality.

3. The movie will be presented in anamorphic widescreen- the way it was intended to be seen!

4. It will include multiple audio commentary: from Cameron himself, the casts, and the crew.

5. The DVD will include 58 minutes of deleted scenes that won't be included back in the film. Instead, one would be able to know that a scene has been deleted via the icon that would appear on screen. One would have the option to jump out of the movie and see the deleted scenes.

6. The deleted scenes have an optional commentary from Cameron explaining why they were taken out.

7. The footages will not be shown in their raw aspect. They would have the same quality as that of the film itself.

8. The extra features would include almost 400 hours of behind-the-scenes footages.

9. There would be a newly-produced definitive feature-length documentary that would discuss the film from its conception till the end.

10. Interviews from the cast will also be included.

When asked why it took so long for this DVD, Cameron said that the released DVD is still sells well and that people who were involved in the film needed a long rest before they could revisit the work again.

Well, it's about time! Can't wait to have it!

News source here.

Bought This Today

I am soooo glad that I still found a VCD copy of this film from Astro Plus, Carpark, SM North. Although the price was different from the first time I saw it (PhP99.00), ok lang (PhP150.00). It doesn't matter because this is one remarkable film. Besides, the important thing is that I'd be asking Direk Ellen to autograph it on Monday. ;-)



"Angels" is the story of Rudy and Angie who are both blind. They work as masseurs to sustain their family's needs. They have three children and Jonathan, their second child, is the one helping them as they go through their day to day struggles - including the care for their first child who happens to be mentally incapacited. The biggest challenge that they faced, though, was when the DSWD tried to take custody of their children because of believing that they are incapable of raising their family.

This is an honest portrayal of the true events that happened to real people. If you think you are having a tough time in life, think again and see life in the eyes of Rudy and Angie...

My favorite lines:
Jonathan: Itay, pa'no kayo nagligawan ni nanay?
Rudy: Basta 'yun na 'yun. Love at first sight!
Jonathan: Tatay naman, e. Sige na... Pa'no n'yo nga nilagawan si nanay?
Rudy: Sa tinginan lang!

This movie should be released internationally! Calling Star Cinema!

Queer As Folk Season 4

"Queer as Folk Season Four" isn't as much exciting as the first three seasons. For one thing, there aren't many new things that happened among the different characters in the series. Basically, the events that took place in this season are continuation of what transpired in the last season. Ted is recovering from drug addiction, Emmett is living a life on his own, Michael and Ben are building a family with Hunter, Melanie and Lindsay are waiting for the new baby, and Brian and Justin are still in their usual trying-to-live-as-a-couple-but-fuck-whoever-you-want ways. It has the most boring season opener and the story only picks up during the last few episodes. Even then, some of those emotional events seemed force, especially Brian's cancer which is so-Samantha of Sex and the City! It didn't have much depth and substance. I assume that the audience didn't even care enough since the character didn't grow as much since the first season. So what if he is sick? He still looked his darnest best and didn't lose a single strand of hair during radiation treatment!

As for the rest, they remained a puppet for the oh-so-tragic writing. The Melanie-Lindsay emotional crisis somehow managed to salvage the season but still remained unsatisfying. Thanks to the mere not mentioning of Melanie's cheating on Season 2! Not to mention the unbelievable Hollywood adaptation of "Rage"!

It's a good thing that Showtime will be finishing this series on its sixth season. Some good things never really last especially if "sex" is all that they could offer. And for chrissakes, lay off the Brian-Justin sex scenes! Not only that they're less thrilling, they're too enervating, as well!