Listmania!
some of the things I love
2001 : A Space Odyssey - Special Edition [DVD] [1968]2001 : A Space Odyssey - Special Edition [DVD] [1968]
Buy used from: £5.89
a perfectly restored dvd, cd soundtrack and collectible 70mm film frame...heaven in a box. Double that for the Blu-Ray version
Mr.Laurel and Mr.Hardy: An Affectionate BiographyMr.Laurel and Mr.Hardy: An Affectionate Biography by John McCabe
Buy used from: £21.99
the best-ever biography (picked up at an outdoor jumble sale, Whitby harbour!) about the finest comedy double-act of all time. A sincere and lovely read
Gene Roddenberry: The Myth and the Man Behind "Star Trek"Gene Roddenberry: The Myth and the Man Behind "Star Trek" by Joel Engel
Buy used from: £0.01
even though it's a warts-and-all portrait, you can still see the true genius underneath. Anyway, aren't all such people flawed? I certainly am. (Apologies for lack of picture)
Star Trek: The Motion PictureStar Trek: The Motion Picture by Jerry Goldsmith
Buy new: £24.49 / Used from: £12.94
Goldsmith's most beautiful score, this is the expanded version with extra tracks + bonus interview cd. Fine for completists, but the unadorned original remains the best listening experience
All You Needed Was Love: "Beatles" After the "Beatles" (A Hamlyn original)All You Needed Was Love: "Beatles" After the "Beatles" (A Hamlyn original) by John Blake
Buy used from: £0.90
wildly subjective by any standards but very well written Beatles biog. A deeply engrossing read - even if things didn't quite happen as portrayed. (Apologies for lack of picture)
Toy Story - 10th Anniversary Edition [DVD] [1995]Toy Story - 10th Anniversary Edition [DVD] [1995]
Buy used from: £500.00
pure magic for the inner child. CGI has never been more human or insightful. Well, it's either this or 'The Incredibles' as nothing else comes close
Phil Spector: Out of His HeadPhil Spector: Out of His Head by Richard Williams
Buy new: £7.16 / Used from: £0.27
a sympathetic biography of a musical genius. Detailed, informative and superbly written with a real feel for the era and the people who contributed to the 'wall of sound'
Planes, Trains & Automobiles [1987] [DVD]Planes, Trains & Automobiles [1987] [DVD]
Buy new: £2.98 / Used from: £2.45
perfect (seasonal) feelgood movie. Steve Martin and John Candy at their stupid heartwarming best
The Complete Sherlock Holmes (Collector's Library Editions)The Complete Sherlock Holmes (Collector's Library Editions) by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Buy new: £17.96 / Used from: £16.50
nothing on celluloid (with the exception of 'Murder By Decree') can compare to Conan Doyle's sublime novels and short stories, all beautifully illustrated from Strand Magazine
I'm Alan Partridge : Complete BBC Series 1 [1997] [DVD]I'm Alan Partridge : Complete BBC Series 1 [1997] [DVD]
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £3.42
Steve Coogan's finest 180 minutes. Hilarious, sad, stupid, conceited, insensitive and brilliant
A Rush of Blood to the HeadA Rush of Blood to the Head by Coldplay
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £0.89
their most perfect album...production, musicianship, every track an absolute joy (if you can call the pseudo-glum ones a joy, that is)
84, Charing Cross Road84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
Buy new: £7.93 / Used from: £2.11
an unrequited love story via transatlantic correspondence - with the mutual love of books as its central theme. Sad and poignant (and adapted into an equally wonderful film)
The Hindu TimesThe Hindu Times by Oasis
Buy new: £4.89 / Used from: £0.16
the best single from the Gallagher brothers, the demo version's sung by Noel and is nearly as good. Reminds me a lot of 'Flying' by the Beatles. Opinions? Turn up very loud
Dear Sir Drop Dead Hate Mail Through TheDear Sir Drop Dead Hate Mail Through The by Donald Carroll
Buy used from: £8.65
a genuinely good example of collected hate mail before cheap compilations became commonplace. Intelligently analysed and an often hilarious read. (Apologies for lack of picture)
Doctor Who : Series 1 - Volume 4 [2005] [DVD]Doctor Who : Series 1 - Volume 4 [2005] [DVD]
Buy new: £4.28 / Used from: £0.96
I've watched 'The Parting of the Ways' many times now and it remains a wonderful piece of sci-fi tv. Unashamed to admit that the regeneration scene hits the tear ducts every time
The Beatles : Anthology [DVD] [1995]The Beatles : Anthology [DVD] [1995]
Buy new: £39.98 / Used from: £34.68
there's no better documentary charting the rise and eventual demise of the Fab Four in existence. An absolute must-own
Peaches: the Very Best ofPeaches: the Very Best of by The Stranglers
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £1.32
not a fan of compilations as a rule, especially when it comes to My Favourite Band. Subjectivity being the first casualty, however, this is still a good purchase if you're not intimately acquainted
You Really Don't Look 50, Charlie Brown! (Peanuts miscellaneous)You Really Don't Look 50, Charlie Brown! (Peanuts miscellaneous) by Charles M Schulz
Buy used from: £0.01
this was responsible for cheering me up during a brief spell of illness in my teens. Heartwarmingly funny commentaries on life...no, really, I'm not kidding
Irwin Allen Television Productions, 1964-1970: A Critical History of "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea", "Lost in Space", "The Time Tunnel" and "Land of the Giants"Irwin Allen Television Productions, 1964-1970: A Critical History of "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea", "Lost in Space", "The Time Tunnel" and "Land of the Giants" by Jon Abbott
Buy new: £55.58 / Used from: £146.95
if you're curious about fantasy tv from the 1960's, this book about Irwin Allen's classic quartet of shows is well worth a look. Very well written
The Private Eye Annual 2006The Private Eye Annual 2006 by Ian Hislop
Buy used from: £0.01
Life without Private Eye would be a lot less fun, for sure. Intelligent, witty, blackly humourous, it's always a real pleasure to read
Spirit of 77: Spirit of PunkSpirit of 77: Spirit of Punk by Various Artists
Buy new: £17.78
my era, and a pretty good selection covering most bases. Happy memories
Fleetwood Mac - The Dance [DVD] [1997]Fleetwood Mac - The Dance [DVD] [1997]
Buy new: £13.48 / Used from: £8.98
great 5.1 sound, song selection and performances - watch this, then go and play your 'Rumours' LP to death. Magic
The Collected Stories Of Arthur C. Clarke (Gollancz S.F.)The Collected Stories Of Arthur C. Clarke (Gollancz S.F.) by Arthur C. Clarke
Buy new: £9.97 / Used from: £2.00
one of the true greats of science-fiction literature, occasionally ridiculous, often profound future predictions, now residing in his own mysterious world. A serious loss
Panasonic DMR-EX85EB-S 250GB Hard Disk DVD Recorder - Freeview Tuner, HDMIPanasonic DMR-EX85EB-S 250GB Hard Disk DVD Recorder - Freeview Tuner, HDMI
what a fantastically flexible machine this has proved to be, multi-region, HDMI, DVD-RAM...the lot. Perfect for playing all the DVDs and CDs I've raved about and therefore very highly recommended
Samsung LE40F86 - 40''  Widescreen 1080P Full HD LCD TV - With FreeviewSamsung LE40F86 - 40'' Widescreen 1080P Full HD LCD TV - With Freeview
and here's what I use to watch my films on. For the money, it's excellent value and the 1080p picture (when hooked up to a suitable Hi-Def source) is truly mesmerising (see review)