The Wizard of Oz 75th Anniversary Edition

 Well I have double dipped on The Wizard of Oz! I always regretted not purchasing the initial limited edition box that came out, settling instead on the local limited edition release, but now of course I am glad I held off as I really do like this edition. It will compliment my other version quite nicely :D

Anyhow, this set features the newly created 3D version of the film (not that I have any interest in that what-so-ever) on Blu-ray as well as a normal 2D version and extra features presented on two more Blu-ray's, a standard DVD version with extras and a double sided disc featuring the MGM documentary "When the Lion Roars". Other "extras" include a 52 page hard cover photo book, a journal, a map of Oz, a Nobel Collection pin set, a light up ruby slipper snow globe and my personal favourite (and exclusive to the Amazon version) a USB flash drive in the shape of the Wicked Witches legs! :D

Wonderful world of promotional items!

Having received a promotional gift in the mail yesterday from Starz Entrainment for the release of Spartacus Vengeance on August 28th this year... I decided to create a post for some of the other odds and ends that have been sent to me over the years in this industry.  Sadly, movie promotion has dwindled quite significantly over time so most of the juicy stuff is from a number of years back, but here are some of the things I still have starting with the Spartacus Vengeance set:

More after the break.....

Just when you thought it was safe to watch a blu-ray...

Last week saw the release of quite possibly my favourite Steven Spielberg movie, Jaws. Hopes were very high that this release would get the treatment it deserved and boy did it ever!  This is the best Jaws has and probably ever will ever look  The transfer is mind blowing in how much it adds to the movie going experience and the soundtrack make-over is just as good as the picture!

The release in Australia is a wonderful digibook with some interesting pictures and info included in the book. Here is a preview of a few pages:

Of course Jaws has been released to home video in many variations over the course of the years.... I personally have owned at least 4 copies on VHS, the Signature Collection Laserdisc and 3 separate DVD releases.  I also have the UK steelbook blu-ray on order so that will make 2 blu-ray copies as well! As well as owning the actual film, I have on occasion spent up on Jaws Memorabilia... some of which I will share below for you!

 Signature Collection Front & Back (Above)

 Signature Collection Contents (Above)

 Region 1 DTS Release & 30th Anniversary DVD Release (Above 1st Line)

Jaws paperback, Jaws BFI Classics & The Jaws Log paperback (Above 2nd Line)

Jaws Pressbook - features cast & crew information, plot synopsis and advertising supplements. (Above)

 Jaws Video Game (Above)

 Neon Magazine (Jaws is No 1 on the list of 100 films!)

And what Jaws collection would be complete without an all-singing all-dancing shark on a mount!

Singing Jaws (Above)

I was going to upload a video of the above, but if you search Youtube for singing Jaws you will find one easily enough! (Of course!)

Studio Ghibli Collectibles

I thought this week I would share some of the awesome little collectibles I have picked up for Studio Ghibli films over the years... I don't have a lot, but I do enjoy what I have!  Lets start with quite possibly my favourite acquisition...

 I have been trying for about 3 months now to try and find a Bonsai or indoor plant that would suit this pot, but alas I have been unsuccessful in my quest, but I do hope to find one eventually!

My Neighbor Totoro - Vase / Flower Pot

My Neighbor Totoro - Money Box

I can't think of a better way to save your pennies than feeding Totoro!

My Neighbor Totoro - Plush

Nausicaa & Laputa - Teto Plush

Howl's Moving Castle - Replica Ring Charms

Arrietty - Hair Clip Peg (Came with JP Blu-ray)

Japanese Blu-ray Releases

Ponyo - Bento Box

Promotional Stuff

My Neighbor Totoro - Wobblers

Regular readers will also know that I have been collecting the Studio Ghibli Official Art Books, you can find links to their individual pages here: Kiki's Delivery Service, Howl's Moving Castle, Spirited Away, Porco Rosso, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind & My Neighbor Totoro

Play it once, Sam. For old times' sake.

Casablanca 70th Anniversary Blu-ray Edition from Warner Brothers in the U.S

Welcome.... to Jurassic Park

So I picked up the Jurassic Park trilogy Blu-ray a week or so ago, have only gotten around to watching The Lost World, but it looked fairly decent and had an awesome soundtrack.  It came in a nice Digipack too so I thought I would share a few photos:

 

 I also recently opened my Limited Edition DVD set, so I will share a few of those pics below too:

 

 As above, the set features Jurassic Park and The Lost World on DVD, (I replaced the normal special edition DVD's with the DTS Releases), the soundtrack to both films on CD and a certificate of authenticity.

Below you can see the two film frames and the pouch that holds some art cards (I didn't open these as I have enough art cards for JP as you can see from the images below that...)

Art Cards and Lobby Cards for Jurassic Park and The Lost World.

 

E.T Collectibles

I never really got the fascination with E.T, it made millions at the box office, had a tonne of merchandise and yet it was never really that great a movie to me. I was a pretty big fan of Steven Spielberg when I was growing up, that is not to say that I am not still a fan, just certainly not on the scale I was back then. Here are a few things I picked up during my collecting years...

Original Australian cinema poster.

E.T Key Ring (this if from its anniversary re-release in the 90's)

Press Book featuring actor Bios, Plot Synopsis, Full Credits and some photos.

Exhibitor's Campaign Book featuring print ads, posters and lobby accessories to help cinemas promote the film

Region 1 Limited Edition DVD Set



Various figures, a Pez dispenser and Yoyo

Not too many items there, but as I said, I was never a big fan, so I stuck mostly with the harder to find "press" stuff. I will maybe throw up a few pictures of the inside of those booklets when I get a chance!

I will also divert slightly in the next post of collectibles to include some of the stranger things that have crossed my path, but will return with more Spielberg related posts after that starting with Close Encounters of the Third Kind!