posted on May 15, 2004 06:23:48 PM new
I freely admit to being a movie/TV junkie. My collection includes just over 600 DVDs, 900+ videotapes, and about 50 remaining Laserdiscs (I'm replacing 'em with DVDs as I can). I am an addict.
And what I love about DVDs is that, slowly but surely, more and more old movies & TV shows are coming out.
I love it that old TV shows are coming out. This week I bought "Lost in Space" season one and "Have Gun Will Travel" season one off of eBay (found sealed copies far cheaper than in the stores, even including shipping). I have been buying the DVD collections for "Dark Shadows" as they appear. And all the Star Trek series. The first seasons of "Soap" and "Barney Miller" adorn my shelves.
And I buy all sorts of movies, from blockbusters to odd little indie and "B" films. Recent purchases include "The Big Sleep," "Cisco Kid Double Feature #2," "Hombre," "8 Women," "Adventures of Captain Marvel," Follow Me Boys," "For Love of Ivy," "Me and the Kid," "Diary of a Hitman," "The Silencers," "The Bodyguard from Beijing," "The Quickie," "Fulltime Killer," "To Catch a Thief," "The Monster Club," "Bend It Like Beckham," "Pirates of the Caribbean," "Goodbye Mr. Chips," "Walk, Don't Run," "A Double Life," "People Will Talk,""Splash," "Underworld," "Unconditional Love," and "Secondhand Lions."
I have my eye on "Master and Commander" and "Love, Actually" right now--they'll soon be going on pre-viewed DVD sale at Hollywood Video.
And I just discovered that the David Niven movie "Stairway to Heaven" (aka A Matter of Life & Death" has come out on DVD...
posted on May 15, 2004 06:46:58 PM new
I have the entire Flash Gordon Serials from the 30's, Yancy Derringer (starring Jock Mahoney) a bunch of WC Fiels as well as many silents. But my true treasure is the Japanese version of Godzilla without Raymond Burr.
posted on May 15, 2004 06:52:17 PM new
We collect DVD's too. I gave the video collection away, I didn't think that you could get much for videos on ebay? oh well there gone now
I have some of the movies you mentioned! Pirates of the Carribean is good, love Depp these days
Isn't Secondhand Lions the movie about the 2 older eccentric uncles (Michael Caine and ?) who take in their grand nephew, and raise him, and have all these wild tales from their life? THAT WAS A GREAT MOVIE!! I think thats next to buy!
posted on May 15, 2004 06:54:24 PM new
omg Dave, that Japanese Godzilla movie(s) with Burr in them are Mikes favorite! That and he can still watch 'Tremors' over and over, and sit there and laugh his a** off
posted on May 15, 2004 07:17:56 PM new
I'm not a big tv or movie person, but once in a while I love watching an old movie while I'm alone. I love the old ones like "Mildred Pierce" and "To Kill a Mockingbird", etc., but I really love the b-movies like "She Devils on Wheels" and "They Saved Hitler's Brain". I usually laugh so hard I get a headache.
posted on May 15, 2004 07:21:35 PM new
I'm sorry, I forgot to say how cool of a collection you have Bunni! Do you have one of those fancy big screen tv's too?
P.S. If you're thinking of buying a new plasma tv, don't. I heard the life expectancy might be shorter than they first realized.
posted on May 15, 2004 07:23:12 PM new
NTS: Yep, that's the one--the other uncle is played by Robert Duvall. You won't regret buying it.
Kraft: there's a company called Alpha Video that releases old B films for $5.99 - $7.99. Usually OK prints, too. I've bought some great films put out by them! Their website has the complete catalog--it's called Oldies.com http://www.oldies.com/
____________________
We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people. -- John F. Kennedy
posted on May 15, 2004 07:25:37 PM newDo you have one of those fancy big screen tv's too?
Yes, I have 45" Toshiba "widescreen" TV (the better towatch letterbox films).
I'd love a plasma screen someday, but they are way to expensive! Guess it's a good thing I'm waiting.
____________________
We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people. -- John F. Kennedy
posted on May 15, 2004 08:12:40 PM new
Bunni - as cheap as videos are right now, have you consdiered getting a DVR and recording some of the old classic b movies to DVD? Most older DVDs can be copied without problem and the early Panasonic DVRs ( DMR-E30 ) can be had right now for around $200 on ebay. For direct recording they rock. I have transfered hundreds of old videos to DVD on mine. Nice little work horse machine.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
If it's really "common" sense, why do so few people actually have it?
posted on May 15, 2004 08:36:49 PM new
It's nice to know of others out there who love to collect old movies and tv shows. I have 2197 movies and tv shows on DVD and tape. I am always buying movies and love older horror films the most.
posted on May 15, 2004 08:37:34 PM new
It isn't that I don't like movies, I do, really. It's just that they put me to sleep, even the ones I really want to watch. It takes me typically 3 watchings to get all the way thru a DVD. Right now, the Missus is in the sala watching what sounds like a good movie...if I get up and go in there and stretch out in front of the Tee-Vee, I'll be out like a light in half an hour...I guess if I'm awake I just feel like I ought to be doing something....
___________________________________
When a dog howls at the moon, we call it religion. When he barks at strangers, we call it patriotism. - Edward Abbey
posted on May 15, 2004 08:44:43 PM new
sounds good. I have ordered radio shows off of eBay and I didn't realize that DVD's were so cheap. They fit within my budget. With the TV shows on now I most always listen to radio. I don't like sit coms, in fact the only thing I watch is Wheel of Fortune now. I did watch Survivor so maybe if I can find some good movies or old TV shows that would be great. I like Murder she Wrote, Perry Mason. Do they make those on DVD's
posted on May 15, 2004 09:27:02 PM new
Fenix: yes, I have been considering buying a DVD recorder. What is holding me back is that there is a war of format going on reminiscent of the Betamax-VHS war, and I don't want to end upon the losing side Also, they are speaking of a newer format coming out that willhold more info & blow current DVD's away...
decisions, decisions....
____________________
We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people. -- John F. Kennedy
posted on May 15, 2004 09:29:14 PM new
Prof: sounds like you have an evil recliner, like mine. Mine has a curse upon it--no matter how wide awake I am, if I lean back in it to read a book or watch a movie, I will often lose consciousness and wake up at 3 in the morning to stagger to bed.
____________________
We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people. -- John F. Kennedy
posted on May 15, 2004 09:38:21 PM new
I only get about 4 good hours a night anyway. I think I'm perpetually sleepy. Like a car that won't idle, soon as you come to a red light it stalls
___________________________________
When a dog howls at the moon, we call it religion. When he barks at strangers, we call it patriotism. - Edward Abbey
posted on May 15, 2004 11:12:30 PM new
Bunni - I assume you are into quality of the picture and if that is the case, you don't want to fit more on a disk. You can put 6 hours on a disk now but it is pixelated and muddy, just like six hours on a VHS tape is. For movie achchiving, the current technology is everything you need.
Since you are going to be transfering data from VHS format, new technologies are not going to matter for image quality unless you are planning to remaster on your computer which would eliminate the need for a dvr anyway. As long as you invest in good cables your DVD will look the same as the VHS.
The new rumored technology will be good for people recording off of HighDef or that are burning from digital images but the only thing it wil mean for VHS to DVD relay is an additional $600+ in the pricetag
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
If it's really "common" sense, why do so few people actually have it?
[ edited by fenix03 on May 15, 2004 11:19 PM ]
posted on May 16, 2004 12:03:23 AM new
Speaking of DVD-recorders, I've been noticing quite a lot of homemade DVD's for sale on eBay, featuring things the sellers state are in the public domain. That may wellbe true for some old films, but I am doubtful about things like the Charlie Chan films Which I think are still copyrighted. I'm also doubtful, but tempted , about the DVD-r's I saw on eBay tonight for the Ellery Queen TV Show from 1975. It's so recent I can't believe it is the public domain. I've been waiting & hoping this short-lived series (only 1 season, 23 episodes if you include the pilot) would be released, but so far not a murmur. So this is veeeeeeery tempting! Also--oh my--I just noticed that one of these guys is selling another 1 season TV show I was a big fan of: "The Magician" with Bill Bixby...
Spit!
____________________
We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people. -- John F. Kennedy
posted on May 16, 2004 08:07:35 AM new
davebraun - Do you know a good source for WC Fields movies. There is one that I missed recording from TV and I found it to be one of his best.
I think it is called The Man On The Flying Trapeze. His erstwhile girlfriend Carlotta Monte has a cameo in the movie as his secretary.
The scenario-- Fields is again henpecked by his second wife and mother-in-law and step-son. And he again has a loving daughter.
The "plot" revolves around a big wrestling match which Fields wants to attend, but needs an excuse to miss work.
He says his mother-in-law died of alcohol poisoning and he needs the day off.
His boss puts the info about his mother-in-law in the newspaper, including the cause of death.
posted on May 16, 2004 10:14:15 PM new
I rewatched one of my favorite Peter Sellers films today, "Hoffman." I first saw this film when I was in college, on a local TV late night movie show, then was fortunate enough to see it on the big screen at a theatre a few years later. When it came out on DVD a while back, I snapped it up.
This is an unusual film for Sellers. Not one of his slapstick-type films. It has humor, but the film is what you might call serio-comic. Seller portrays Benjamin Hoffman, a homely potato of a man who has loved from afar for over a year a secretary at the place he works for. When he discovers that her fiance has been stealing from the company, he blackmails her into coming to his flat for a week, with the intention of wooing her.
I liked the movie so much when I first saw the film that I hunted down the book it was taken from--it took me a few years. Then I loaned it someone who liked it so much that I never got it back. So I underwent another search of a couple of years and got another copy finally--this one is better as it has the dust jacket.
Anyway, love the film. Sellers is great, as is Sinead Cusack, who played young Janet Smith.
____________________
We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people. -- John F. Kennedy
has come out on DVD...
