Phoenix DVD Blog

There was a time when comedies didn’t tiptoe around feelings or try to tick every politically correct box. They were loud, ridiculous, completely unapologetic and frequently pushed gross-out boundaries which was mostly hilarious but sometimes poorly pulled off.  That’s exactly why we still fondly remember them, for the most part. These five movies aren’t just funny; they’re proof that humour used to have a backbone and I so wish that we could return to those days without somebody taking offense. If you'd like to watch something grittier, check out my other post  5 Modern War Films You Must See for Intense, Gritty Viewing  and prepare to feel the action. 1. Wedding Crashers (2005) Back when Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn were at their peak, Wedding Crashers nailed the formula: quick-fire one-liners, slightly dodgy morals, and enough charm to get away with it. It’s a film that reminds you how great comedy can be when it’s not trying to teach a lesson. Just pure chaos, rom...

I’ve written before about why I’m not a fan of method acting, you can read my opinion in this post — Method Acting Gone Too Far . Some actors swear by it, but for me, it often crosses into disruption, ego, or even danger. But here’s the thing: plenty of actors deliver world-class performances without needing to live as their character off set. They can switch it on when the director calls “action” and switch it off when the cameras stop rolling, and in my view, that’s the real mark of talent.

I’ve been a movie collector since the day I picked up my very first movie, Phenomenon . There was something special about holding that case, peeling off the plastic, and sliding the disc into the player. Back then, I loved receiving movies in the post from Play.com or finding one at the local store (when they still sold them regularly). Very few shops sell discs these days, it seems to be going the way of the Dodo and I for one am sad to see it happen.

There was a time when Hollywood meant spectacle, risk, and unforgettable storytelling. These days? It feels like the film industry has lost the run of themselves. Every other release is a safe reboot, a lazy reimagining, or a paint-by-numbers blockbuster starring once-great actors who now look tired, phoning it in while delivering lines from scripts that wouldn’t pass as decent TV episodes twenty years ago. Instead of bold, sweeping epics, we’re stuck with recycled franchises and CGI noise. Where’s the ambition? Where’s the bravery to tell a story that leaves a mark? Where's the risk taking?

When it comes to World War II television, few names carry more weight than Band of Brothers , The Pacific , and now  Masters of the Air . All three came from the powerhouse partnership of Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, each tackling a different front of the war in Europe, the Pacific islands, and the skies above them. They share the same DNA: ensemble casts, grounded realism, and an unflinching look at the toll of war. Yet they’re very different experiences. After rewatching Masters of the Air again this weekend, I found myself thinking about what makes each series unique and why Band of Brothers still stands as the benchmark for many viewers.

For years, Blu-ray has been the gold standard for home cinema. Crisp picture, rich sound, and a much more reliable experience than streaming. But now we’re faced with its successor: the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray . Is it really worth the hype, or is Blu-ray still good enough for most people? The Strength of Standard Blu-ray Blu-ray discs already offer incredible picture and sound quality. Even on a large modern TV, a good Blu-ray can deliver stunning detail, deep blacks, and a powerful audio mix. For the average movie lover, Blu-ray is still a fantastic value. Discs are widely available and much cheaper than their 4K counterparts. While you’re here, I’ve also written Streaming vs Collecting: Why I’ll Always Keep My DVDs & Blu-rays , where I talk about why streaming will never replace the feel of a real collection. The Promise of 4K Ultra HD On paper, 4K Blu-ray should be a major step up: Higher resolution – 3840 × 2160 compared to Blu-ray’s 1920 × 1080. HDR (High Dynamic Rang...

Method acting has always carried a certain mystique and has been celebrated from within and without of the movie industry for years. When an actor fully disappears into a role, audiences are left in awe, wondering how much of what they saw on screen was performance and how much was a genuine slip into another life.  But there’s a darker side to that devotion. Sometimes it produces unforgettable art, other times it borders on reckless obsession.  Personally, that’s where I lose patience. I’m not impressed by actors making life harder for everyone else on set just to stay in character. The real craft is in switching it on and off at will. I know from experience — as a former carpenter (now woodturner), I don’t want to come home and hang shelves after my day is done. Why should acting be any different?