Region 2-only DVD's

[cliff barua]

Next month, I'm going to the place of my birth - England - for about 17 days. Since I recently bought an NTSC-PAL DVD player that has been chipped to play all regions, I'm looking for some suggestions on Region 2 discs that are either not available in North America, or are considered better in Region 2 than Region 1. Movies and music would be the focus, though I'm already compiling a list of my favourite old British comedy series and some newer ones (Ali G's British stuff), and footie (soccer) discs that won't see the light over here.

For those in England, any suggestions on the best prices - high street or on-line (i.e. Amazon UK).

Thanks much.

Cliff :)

[msimonov]

Cubricks "Eyes wide shut" Region 2 suppose to have all unedited scenes in compare with Region 1 version.

[lv70smusic]

I don't know your tastes in music or film, but here are some Region 2 dvd's that I have purchased and enjoyed:

"Orgazmo". A film made by the South Park guys, so you know it's crude. The plot involves a Mormon guy who gets entangled in the porn industry as a superhero character (named Orgazmo). Very fun stuff if you enjoy ribald humor.

Alison Moyet - Essential Collection. This is a collection of Alison Moyet music videos, complete with track by track commentary by Alison. Enjoyable if you are a fan of hers and not likely to ever see a Region 1 release given her relative lack of popularity here.

"Valley of the Dolls/Beyond The Valley of the Dolls". This comes as a 2-disc set. The former is an over the top movie about pill-popping starlets. Very camp, particularly the later scenes where the Patty Duke character has a complete meltdown. The latter film, written by Roger Ebert and directed by Russ Meyers, is related only in name and, loosely, subject matter. BTVOTD features nekkid women; lots of very tame sex scenes; lip syncing by the Strawberry Alarm Clock; a very weird drug induced multiple murder climax; and more! It's so bad it's good.

Frankie Goes to Hollywood - "Hard On". A collection of music videos with some bonus features (interviews, etc).

Pretenders - a music video compilation (I cannot recall the name right now).

[Beatlesfan03]

The UK version of Trainspotting blows the US version out of the water. Deluxe packaging and lots of additional goodies similiar to the Criterion laserdisc.

[oxenholme]

For those in England, any suggestions on the best prices - high street or on-line (i.e. Amazon UK).

Thanks much.

Cliff :)

I get mine from www.play.com

[Tetrack]

Don't know if you have heard of this show, but you might like the very funny 'Bo Selecta' Channel 4 UK on DVD. The site below has info & clips if you're interested. :)

http://www.boavid.com/

[cliff barua]

Thanks all thus far for your suggestions. Keep 'em comin'.

Jeff, I'm certainly into some of what you've suggested. Ox: I've discovered that play.com does indeed have the lowest prices on some of what I'm looking for. I'm in the process of having an order sent to where I'm staying in London. Shame that they don't send stuff outside of the EU.

Cliff :)

[Christopher J]

Here's a few...

Movies that have R2 DVD releases that offer more than their R1 counterparts:

A Fish Called Wanda
MGM R2 = John Cleese commentary, deleted scenes, interviews, documentaries, a few funny easter eggs
MGM R1 = diddly

Ed Wood
Buena Vista R2 = Group commentary, many BTS featurettes, music video
Buena Vista R1 = all of the above, plus deleted scenes, but recalled for legal reasons with no re-release in sight

They Live
Momentum R2 = Commentary
Universal R1 = diddly

The Wicker Man
WB R2 = extended cut, documentary, group commentary
Anchor Bay R1 = minus the commentary

The Hitcher
Momentum R2 = Commentary, documentary, two short films
HBO R1 = diddly

If you're into HK movies at all, Hong Kong Legends' R2 editions of several movies outstrip all other versions available.

...and some movies available in R2 editions that are uncensored while the R1 versions are cut in some way:

Peter Jackson's Braindead
Giuseppe Tornatore's Maléna
and The Legend of the Pianist on the Ocean
Danny Boyle's 28 Days Later
Donald J. Cammell's Wild Side

Since I'm in the US, I use Amazon.co.uk the most for UK R2 stuff, and I used to use Blackstar.