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I.M.D.B.
So just how many times were those famous
words "play it again Sam" uttered during Casablanca? This
massive database of 260.000 films has all the answers; but far from
a simple collection of trivia we have here something of a monumental
academic endeavour. All the credits, locations and awards of each
movie are readily accessible and well presented with listings covering
half a million actors and many thousands of directors. Current releases
are also covered in a separate section providing reviews and synopses,
though it has to be said that the site fares much better on the
films it recommends, with the remaining taken care of by way of
links. The usual online frivolities are all there as well, such
as the celebrity gossip and "Fun and Games", and the photo
gallery is certainly a nice touch with its 2000 images, mostly movie
stills, but all in all the most useful and unique aspect remains
the database itself, both film buffs and less serious cinephiles
alike will find it an invaluable reference tool.
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The well-known UK retailer, available online. |
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As
Seen On Screen
Get a load of this one! Ever wanted to own
that familiar dart board from Friends, or the "Sunnydale High
School" T-shirt from Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Well, now you
can. This clever little site stocks over a 1000 cool articles from
your favourite TV programs and movies. Entertainingly divided into
"The Stuff You Saw" (items they managed to track down),
"Stuff Similar To What You Saw" (things that come close)
and "Official Merchandise", each category is brimming
with interesting bits and pieces that make for an enjoyable surf
whether or not you actually plan to buy anything. If you do, however,
then secure shipping is available to most countries so international
users shouldn't let the UK-centricity of the operation put them
off. It's not hard to see why this is a Sunday Times Site of the
Year, the tongue in cheek presentation contributes to the perfect
execution of a great idea, tantalising for its sheer trashieness.
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Empire
Online
With all the resources of the monthly magazine
at its disposal, there's real power in the punch of this UK offering.
Particularly impressive is the selection of reviews on offer which
is comprehensive and bang up to date, covering all current releases.
Though at times more presentational than critical, by web standards
the quality of these is exceptional, culled as they are from the
print publication. Other features that will appeal equally to international
users are the excellent trailers download area and the future films
section with exhaustive details and commentaries on works in progress.
The remainder is of more localised value, such as the competitions
where plenty of film tickets are usually up for grabs. Just as the
IMDB site provides US cinema listings and showing-times search,
here we have a handy UK equivalent provided by Yell.
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Large collection of Hollywood collectibles,
and memorabilia available for purchase. |
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Cinemapop
Ready or not, this is one of those sites
that gives you a chance to sample a slice of the future today. Hundreds
of films, TV-classics and documentaries are available for immediate
online viewing. Some are free tasters while others available for
a surprisingly cheap subscription rate. Subjects range from Westerns
and Comedy through to Martial Arts and Erotica. There may not be
much here in the way of blockbusters or all-time classics (apart
from the laughably dated Emanuelle series maybe), but we did manage
to unearth a few small gems such as The Coca-Cola Kid and some timeless
Laurel and Hardy. Peter Lorre's Mr. Moto was another one of those
rewarding journeys into cinema history. It helps to have a broadband
connection to the web, but even if you don't there's plenty here
to keep you entertained.
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Posters galore. |
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This site and all reviews © 2001-2003 The Living Net® All
Rights Reserved. Where a review is provided it means that the inclusion
in our listing is due to the site's worthiness and any commentary
is intended to be impartial and objective. The words "sponsor
site" however is used to clarify that The Living Net® is
part of a sponsorship program with the site in question. Such sites
do not endorse and are not in any other way connected with The Living
Net®.
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