Listmania!
DVD movies that won't bore you
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Extended Edition Box Set)The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Extended Edition Box Set)
Buy new: £17.59 / Used from: £15.31
Far better than the theatrical versions. Worth seeing within a day or two of each other.
Q: The Winged Serpent [1982]Q: The Winged Serpent [1982]
Buy new: £2.98 / Used from: £2.89
Cool movie. Much imitated since.
The Mad Max Trilogy : Mad Max / Mad Max 2 / Mad Max 3 Beyond Thunderdome (3 Disc Box Set) [1979]The Mad Max Trilogy : Mad Max / Mad Max 2 / Mad Max 3 Beyond Thunderdome (3 Disc Box Set) [1979]
Buy new: £12.98 / Used from: £7.49
First movie is cool, in the cinemas was dubbed from Australian into awful US accents. Second movie almost as good. Third not really worth the bother.
Love Letters [1983] (REGION 1) (NTSC)Love Letters [1983] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
Buy used from: £62.50
Is this the best movie love story ever? (Romaud et Juliette does not seem to be obtainable on DVD though it is on VHS)
Harry Potter : Years 1-3 - The Special Editions Box Set (6 Discs)Harry Potter : Years 1-3 - The Special Editions Box Set (6 Discs)
Buy new: £39.98 / Used from: £8.99
Impossible to beat the books, but each HP movie improves on the last. (HP4 not out on DVD at time of writing -- but contines the trend of improvement.)
Back To The Future Trilogy (4 Disc Ultimate Edition) [1985]Back To The Future Trilogy (4 Disc Ultimate Edition) [1985]
Buy new: £16.08 / Used from: £6.89
See these movies at least once -- best age probably around 12 though.
The Shawshank Redemption (3 Disc Special Edition Box Set) [1995]The Shawshank Redemption (3 Disc Special Edition Box Set) [1995]
Buy used from: £3.99
Famously unsuccessful at first commercial release, it is as good as they all say it is.
Blue Velvet [1986] (David Lynch)Blue Velvet [1986] (David Lynch)
Buy used from: £3.50
Fabulous - batters the senses.
Sea Of Love [1990]Sea Of Love [1990]
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £2.17
Can't remember the ending but stylish and cool movie.
Crimes of Passion [1984] (REGION 1) (NTSC)Crimes of Passion [1984] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
Buy used from: £6.60
Parts of it are a bit bonkers and technically amateurish on occasion too, but great movie!
Betty Blue (Unrated Directors Cut) [1986] (REGION 1) (NTSC)Betty Blue (Unrated Directors Cut) [1986] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
Buy used from: £7.40
It seems impossible to believe that the beginning and end are the same movie. Apparently the DVD restores the director's version, good if so, as parts of it incomprehensible in the cinema version.
The Mission - Two Disc Special EditionThe Mission - Two Disc Special Edition
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £4.60
Not as good as some on this list but the music is sublime, and the plot is good on paper if not as involving as it could be in practice.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind--Collector's Edition (two discs) [1978]Close Encounters of the Third Kind--Collector's Edition (two discs) [1978]
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £2.04
Huge on cinema release. Seems very slow-paced watching it again now, but I for one can forgive that for the overall uplifting experience and (unfashionable) message.
Once Upon a Time in the West -- Special Collector's Edition (2 discs) [1969]Once Upon a Time in the West -- Special Collector's Edition (2 discs) [1969]
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £3.99
Has to be the best western ever. Apparently the DVD is the director's cut and hence might be more comprehensible than the cinema version, but who cares: faboulous. And that music!
Manhunter [1989]Manhunter [1989]
Buy new: £13.98 / Used from: £7.99
Forget all other Thomas Harris (including the remake of this 80s version); this is all you need to see. The rest of the ouevre is ignorable (apart from Jodie Foster's performance in SOTL)
The Sixth Sense - 2 Disc Collector's Edition [1999]The Sixth Sense - 2 Disc Collector's Edition [1999]
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £2.48
I am not a fan of horror movies or Bruce Willis, but this one you have to see. And he's good in it!
No Way Out [1987]No Way Out [1987]
Buy new: £4.97 / Used from: £2.76
What eye candy (the boat scene). Have not seen the orignal but this remake is exciting and KC is just lovely.
Three Colours TrilogyThree Colours Trilogy
Buy new: £16.98 / Used from: £16.25
Unbelievably wonderful. His "10 commandments" also fab, but do not qualify for this list as made-for-TV.
Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! [1990]Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! [1990]
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £3.39
Witty, funny, and definitely not coy. A lot of his films are similar to this but I think this one probably is my favourite?
Sense And Sensibility (Collector's Edition) [1996]Sense And Sensibility (Collector's Edition) [1996]
Buy new: £3.98 / Used from: £2.09
Takes a few liberties with the book but you've just got to enjoy this whole experience, not least the wonderfully romantic Alan R.
Galaxy Quest [2000]Galaxy Quest [2000]
Buy new: £3.98 / Used from: £2.34
While on the subject of Alan R, take a look at this ludicrous movie. Gotta laugh!
A Walk on the Moon [1999] (REGION 1) (NTSC)A Walk on the Moon [1999] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
Buy used from: £49.95
Did not think much of this movie but it has Viggo M in it so it is worth watching for that reason. A History of Violence (not out on DVD at time of writing) is a much better VM movie.
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon [2001]Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon [2001]
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £0.50
Alternative reality, wonderful imagination. If you have not seen a movie of this genre, this is a good one to try.
Muriel's Wedding [1995]Muriel's Wedding [1995]
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £2.09
Like "Betty Blue", this movie ends in a very different place to where it started.
The Ice Storm [1998]The Ice Storm [1998]
Buy used from: £3.94
Does not fulfil its intriguing start, but interesting, and the actors (a couple of pre-superstars among them) are compelling.