Goodies Galore!

Well this has been a busy time for collecting and it isn't going to slow down either.... we have some massive releases here in Australia over the next month with numerous metal slips, steelbooks and digibooks announced... not sure my bank balance will be able to cope!!

Here though, we have some new additions to my Blu-ray collection.  First up, the next wave of Studio Ghibli titles including my all time favourite My Neighbor Totoro!  Grave of the Fireflies was also released and whilst I was looking at getting the limited edition, in the end I went with the separate releases. They both also came with a picnic/play mat!

 

I also picked up The Aristocats from Amazon UK, as I have mentioned on here previously this is one of my favourite Disney films and I am so glad to finally have it on Blu-ray!

Whilst I know a fancy limited edition of Blade Runner is on its way, and I would usually jump at the option of having an LE to add to the collection, this set was simply to good to pass on at the princely sum of $20

One of the better sci-fi films of the last few years, Cargo, whilst a little predictable is still quite a ride and this German release has a pretty decent transfer and a great DTS-HD audio track!

And last, but by no means least, the 60th Anniversary Edition of Singin in the Rain arrived yesterday! Housed in a box not dissimilar to Casablanca and Gone With the Wind the set features 3 Discs, a Book, an Umbrella and a set of lobby poster reproductions:

 

 So there you go... the latest movies in the collection... sadly my extended edition of Margaret still hasn't materialized yet (despite being sent 2 weeks before Singin in the Rain), but hopefully that will get here this week!

Blu-ray Newbies

A few new additions of note to the collection.  I am going to have to do a fairly major update soon given that I haven't posted in a ridiculously long time despite many new acquisitions and viewings... anyhow, here are the latest 3 additions:

 Above you can see I have added two new Criterion titles to my collection.  They are Shallow Grave and Harold and Maude.  I had the pleasure of sitting down to watch Harold and Maude last night, the first time I have revisited this film in at least 10 years and I must say Criterion have done a wonderful job with the transfer. It looks and sounds stunning and I am truly thankful to be able to add it to my collection.  Shallow Grave is a double dip for me as I previously got it on Blu-ray in the British Indie Film box set I purchased (it also included Trainspotting, Gangster No. 1 and Sexy Beast), interestingly I hadn't watched that version, but as the Criterion is Director approved, I think I will be sticking with their release when I do get around to watching it.

Next up we have the latest Studio Ghibli installment: From Up On Poppy Hill.  I watched this on Saturday night and thoroughly enjoyed it.  It was certainly more impressive than Goro Miyazaki's last Ghibli effort (Tales From Earthsea).  It reminded me a lot of Whisper From the Heart, which still remains one of my favourites.  My only complaint with this release I guess, is that the limited edition included the release above inside it.  If I had known that at the time, I would have bought the limited edition, but as it stands I am still happy to have the title in my collection and I am greatly looking forward to next months release of My Neighbor Totoro and Grave of the Fireflies!!!

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

More Blu's & Ghibli

In the run up to Christmas a number of retailers here have some pretty good sales going on!  So to help relieve them of stock I picked up a few bits and pieces....

Resident Evil: Afterlife JBHIFI Exclusive Steelbook

Watchmen JBHIFI Exclusive Director's Cut 2 Disc Edition

 Winnie the Pooh Big W Exclusive

 

Match Point and Moon

 Last House on the Left (US)

 Also from CD Japan the last of my Ghibli films has finally arrived.... Tales of Earthsea. I had only seen it once, and so sat down to rewatch it, and I am afraid it still doesn't really do anything for me. The picture and audio quality is mightly impressive, but I just don't find the story or characters as compelling as other Ghibli films. I am still glad to have it in the collection, but I doubt it will get much action.

Next Wave of Ghibli Blu's

Well I received the first two blu-ray's from the next installment from Studio Ghibli (The third is still en-route).  I present Howl's Moving Castle and Ponyo!  I watched Howl last night and I must say this is a fantastic disc, the picture quality is leaps and bounds ahead of the DVD I had. The 6.1 soundtrack is magnificent to behold and truly places you right in the midst of the story and action as it unfolds.  I must admit upon my first viewing of Howl I wasn't all that impressed, but as I re-watch it, I am coming to like it more and more (Hopefully the same will occur for Tales From Earth Sea, which I also didn't care greatly for on my initial viewing)

I haven't had a chance to watch Ponyo yet, but I did have a quick look at the disc and I must admit I am a bit disappointed that it is simply a re-hash of the original release. Whilst it is nice that the cover now matches the rest of the releases, it is a shame the disc contents are set out completely different and not in keeping with the theme from the others.  I guess maybe it was a little too much to ask, but I was hoping Studio Ghibli may have obliged us.  Oh well, it is still a great film and an excellent addition to the collection!

Ponyo also came with a little extra in the form of a sticker album (pictured below)

Now the waiting game for the next wave starts!!

Ghibli & More....

A number of new additions to the ol' collection....

First up, the remaining Studio Ghibli film I had outstanding... My Neighbors the Yamadas. One of the few Ghibli films I had not seen.  I watched it the other night and must admit it certainly has some great moments, but on the whole I felt a little wanting...still, nice to have it in the collection, but I can't wait to add Howl and Ponyo on the 16th of November!!!

 

 Picked up a couple of standard Blu'ray's as well in the form of Tucker & Dale Vs. Evil, The Frighteners, Final Destination 2, Final Destination 3 and Being John Malkovich!  All bar Tucker & Dale are updates from DVD... shame to see FD3 doesn't have its interactive version that appeared on the 2 disc DVD set, but oh well.....

And last, but not least I picked up Big W's exclusive pillowcase edition of The Lion King

Ghibli Blu-ray Collection Part 2

So after my love affair with The Borrower and Whisper of the Heart Japanese Blu-rays, I went ahead and ordered Nausicaa and Laputa both of which arrived yesterday:

 Laputa: Castle In The Sky

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind

Nausicaä came with a little guide book which makes the packaging slightly different with the disc stored on the left hand side of the case instead of the right.... unfortunately that means the disc doesn't stay in the case as well as one might hope, but I am still glad to have started collecting these discs... even if they are costing a fortune.  November is going to be painful with the release of Tales From Earthsea, Ponyo and Howl's Moving Castle add to that the fact that My Neighbors the Yamadas is available now! I think I might hold off on that one for a little bit though... at least until I can accumulate more money!

Goodies Galore

As most readers would know I am a sucker for all thing Studio Ghibli!  I really wanted the Japanese Blu-rays, but a number of things gave me hesitation.  The first was the price, whilst I don't mind shelling out, each disc is around $70 dollars and that doesn't include postage.  The second, is that I wanted them to be a full matching set and Ponyo had been released prior to the current releases in normal packaging that did not match the new sets, so I decided to wait.  Well it seems the waiting paid off, as a month or so ago, Ghibli announced that Ponyo would be getting a re-release to match the current cover types!!  And with that I present you the first wave of Ghibli Blu-rays I have purchased!

Whisper of the Heart 

Released in 1995, Whisper of the Heart is one of my favourite Ghibli films and introduces one of the few characters to appear in another Ghibli film (The Baron, who appears in the pseudo sequel The Cat Returns)

 Arrietty the Borrower

Still to be released to cinemas here in Australia, the next disc is Arrietty the Borrower.  I really enjoyed this film, but will have to sit down and watch it again before I can formulate my review.  There is so much stuff to take in with Studio Ghibli films, they are truly a marvel of animation.  This particular release came with a bonus in the form of Arrietty's hair clip. (as modeled below by my partner)

 

I was so impressed by these releases that I immediately purchased Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind and Laputa Castle in the Sky and pre-ordered Ponyo and Howl's Moving Castle!  These discs will take their prime place in my collection as they truly are a thing of beauty.

Speaking of beauty.... I also received my copy of Hanna in the form of the UK Steelbook release... great little movie and an awesome blu-ray!!