R2 Uk - Best Of 2003 (1 Viewer)

[Anthony Neilson]

Despite the usual gripes about R1 favouritism, this hasn't been a bad year for R2 UK, and we've seen several excellent editions (so far) exclusive to us. In no particular order, I think the best of these have been -

THE SWEENEY SEASON ONE - another excellent job by Network video, one of the best series box sets ever.

THE DEER HUNTER S.E

HENRY - PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER S.E

ROMAN POLANSKI COLLECTION - Anchor Bay gave us a better package than we could ever have hoped for

THE HITCHER S.E

CITIZEN KANE - a version that complements the R1, with a truer print by all accounts

MISERY S.E

M Special Edition - with this and the upcoming Sunrise, Eureka have really got their act together

PSYCHO COLLECTION - a botched job but at least we've got them

A FISH CALLED WANDA S.E - the film hasn't worn well, imo, but there's no denying it's a good edition

JAM - nicely designed set for the surreal comedy series

THE PINK PANTHER COLLECTION - coming to R1, but we got it first !

Also, on R2 France -

FLASH GORDON SE - commentary by Hodges ! Great design. CD by Queen.

THE SHELTERING SKY S.E - comm by Bertolucci, excellent doc.

Any more to add ?

 

[Christopher D]

Trainspotting SE and Spooks, although Spooks is coming to R1 soon.

 

[James Reader]

League of Gentlemen Series 3 - absolutely stunning 2 disc set crammed full of relevent and interesting supplements (and the programmes aren't bad at all either)

Dr Who - The Three Doctors - again a wonderful disc from the BBC's Dr Who range. Excellent restoration that puts some movies to shame along with wonderful archive supplements - just right for the show's 40th Anniversary (plus I got a free Bessie)

Brady Bunch in the Whitehouse (R4)- I've extended this list in include other non-R1 discs, simply because BBitW came out on R4 earlier this year. Forget about Indiana Jones or Lord of the Rings. I now own my ultimate trilogy!

24 Hour Party People - Wonderful film, excellent package. The commentary tracks (including the visual commentary on the second disc) are all interesting and funny.

Bo' Selecta Series 2 - never liked this on the telly much, but was given the series 1 and 2 boxset. The series 2 DVD give the option of watching without the laugh track and the comedy is much improved - it made me re-evaluate my opinion on the show. Lots of supplements and excellent menus too.

The Amicus Collection - I could have done without "And Now The Screaming Starts"... I think I would even have preferred "The Killer Bees". But an excellent package from Anchor Bay UK, and Asylum alone is worth the money.

 

[Anthony Neilson]

Yes, the DR WHO discs have been excellent. I'd add THE TALONS OF WENG CHIANG and THE DALEK INVASION OF EARTH to that list.

Also THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE S.E - beautiful packaging and THE SHOCKING TRUTH documentary to boot.

 

[CraigL]

Misery SE is great...but available in other regions. No exclusive here. I own the Brazilian NTSC version.

But you guys still have the first 4 (almost) seasons of Will and Grace where we JUST got the first.

 

[Matthew_Brown]

Heh. Surely that's some sort of sadism though?

 

[Cees Alons]

That's interesting. I saw a few episodes and didn't think much of it either. Never realized it could be presented without the laugh track.

Cees

 

[James Reader]

Only series two has a no laugh track option. Series 1 comes only with the laughter.

It really is much better with no laugh track.

 

[Cees Alons]

The reverse happened to the MASH series. Most Europeans, I suppose, didn't even know it had a laugh track.

When I got the DVD of the first season, I listened to it with the laugh track on - for a short while. Couldn't believe they aired it anywhere like that.

Cees

 

[Nicodemus]

I believe the best examples of the very good R2 editions are the Star Trek boxsets (better packaging than R1) and The Shield Season 1 (widescreen instead of region 1's full frame).