Blind DVD buys

[Rocketboy]

Looking at my DVD collection yesterday and I realized that I have quite a few DVDs I've purchased on a blind buy, based on what other people said or something I wanted to see but missed (and usually found a great deal).
I also realized that I've only watched a little over half of them, something I need to remedy.

Out of the ones actually I have watched, I feel like I've had pretty good luck IMO:
16 Blocks - On sale for $10 (IIRC). Wanted to see in theaters, but never got a chance. I was surprised how much I liked it.
Big Fish - Another I wanted to see in theaters, but never got the chance.
Children of Men - Based on others reviews and it didn't play for very long in theaters here.
Donnie Darko (Director's Cut) - A movie I wanted to see for a long time and decided to buy it when the DC was released.
The Exorcist - The only blind buy I've been truly disappointed with. I'm sure it was terrifying when it was released, but I was bored throughout.
Flyboys - Another that disappeared fro theaters too fast and Slicker's stamp approval was good enough for me.
Heat - Deniro? Pacino? Kilmer? Portman? Sale? Sold!
Heroes Season 1 - a semi-blind buy. I watched the first 3 episodes on tv then missed the next few. I loved what I saw so I decided to wait for the DVD instead of trying to play catch up after missing episodes.
King Arthur - Never got a chance to see in theaters.
King Kong (1933) - I'd only seen bits and pieces over the years. The hype of the remake, restored cut and the massive documentary sold me.
King Kong (2005) - Even after buying the original and loving it somehow I missed it.
Leon: The Professional - Another semi-blind buy. I saw the US theatrical cut of The Professional and loved it. When I saw this 30 minute longer extended international version I snagged it.
The Pianist - Based again on Slick's recommendation.
Requiem for a Dream - I wanted to see it for a long time, but every video store had the edited version. When the original cut was on sale I bought it.
A Simple Plan - From the $5.50 bin at Walmart. I wanted to read the book first but I didn't.
Sin City - Still not sure how I missed it when it was in theaters. I would typically be there opening night for an awesome comic book movie.
Talladega Nights - I'd loved all previous Will Ferrell movies, so I assumed this one would be just as funny. I was wrong. Very wrong.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (remake) - On sale last Halloween for like $7.00. Surprised myself buying this since I'm not much of a horror movie fan.
Training Day - A gift from mom one year. I guess she thought I'd like it (I did).

Yet to watch:
The Aviator, Click, Little Miss Sunshine, Man on Fire, Million Dollar Baby, Munich, Ocean's Twelve, Sleepers, Thirteen Days, A Time to Kill, Ultraviolet, THX 1138, Empire of the Sun, Letters from Iwo Jima, Veronica Mars Seasons 1 & 2.

Anyone else have a great/horrible blind buys?

[El Chuxter]

Most of my blind buys have been good ones, but I've got to say that Clerks 2 was the glaring exception.

Counting down until someone stops in to tell me I'm an idiot....

Sorry, guys. I like Kevin Smith, but you don't transcend the fart jokes with something like Jersey Girl, making us expect things like story and variety in the future, and then revert to something that's like Mallrats but a lot more forced (and hold the "funny").

[2-1B]

Don't worry Chux, I won't tell you you're an idiot for your views on Clerks 2...I'm still disgusted by your appreciation for Talladega Nights that I can't dedicate the time needed to a Clerks 2 protest.

Rocketboy,
The Exorcist is one of my favorite movies but not just as a horror film, rather I like the Faith angle of it...and the struggle with faith and all that stuff that the story was based on.

[Kidhuman]

From your yet to have watched list, I have seen the following.
Click - decnetly funny, not too bad a movie.
Little Miss Sunshine - Pretty funny flick. Worth a watch
Man on Fire - saw pieces of it, seemed good.
Million Dollar Baby - I liked tis movie. Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, whats not to like?
Ocean's Twelve - Oceans 11 + 1, about it
Sleepers - I know I saw this but cant remember what its about. If its about the 4 guys that kill Kevin Bacon then it kicks ***, if not, I dont know
A Time to Kill - Great Flick, Loved it
Ultraviolet - Not good at all.


I havent done too many blind purchases. Usually I will await them to come on HBO, Max, Starz or Shotime and watch them, then go buy them. The only blind purchase I am going to make after the holidays is Firefly and Serenity. Everyone loves them, so I figure I will give it a chance.

[Rocketboy]

Edited the first post.
In the "What have you seen recently?" thread I realized I neglected to mention my worst blind buy yet - Talladega Nights.

[DarthQuack]

I enjoyed Clerks 2 a lot and still do....just for the record.

My best blind buy had to be Futurama. Hands down, also Captain N: The Game Master.

[El Chuxter]

Wow. Why the hatred toward Talladega Nights?

[Mr. JabbaJohnL]

The only ones I can remember are American Graffiti and THX 1138, for obvious reasons. I really like both of them, so it worked out well.

I'm sure there have been a few others . . . Santa Clause 2 and Happy Feet were "blind buys" by my mom for the family, both of which were absolutely terrible. I don't know why we let her do it.

[2-1B]

Wow. Why the hatred toward Talladega Nights?

Cuz it sucked and is one of Will Ferrell's worst movies. THANK GOD for Blades of Glory which put him back in my graces.

[UKWildcat]

Some of my best blind buys:

28 Days Later - One of my best horror movie blind buys, recommended from a friend and absolutely loved it.
The Departed - Outstanding movie, somehow didn't get around to seeing it in the theater. Picked up the BestBuy Steelbook the day it was released and enjoyed the movie immensely. One of my best blind buys.
Suspiria - One of, if not, the best horror movie blind buys of mine. Definitely the best Argento / Italian horror blind buy.
Glory - Never saw this one before picking up the SE at Columbia House. Watched it one afternoon with my brother and loved it. He enjoyed it too and bought it shortly after.
Jacob's Ladder - Speaking of my brother, I purchased this movie from him, years ago, having never seen it. He was going to sell it so I bought it from him instead. Great movie, and I am still, to this day, trying to get him to watch it (he bought it having never seen it too).
Shaun of the Dead - Best horror/comedy blind buy, easily.
Grindhouse (Planet Terror/Death Proof) - Didn't get around to seeing these in the theater, based on recommendations, and my sole interest in the movies, I picked up both BB Steelbooks. Enjoyed the hell out of both movies too.
The Devil's Rejects - Based on recommendations here at SSG, picked this one up during one of the 20% sales; right when it was released. Needless to say, I really enjoyed the movie and was thankful for the great recommendation's I received from my fellow SSGers.
V for Vendetta - Much like The Departed, this is one of my best blind buy's ever. Awesome movie, can't wait for my HD version to arrive.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest - Somehow never saw this movie in it's entirety before purchasing the dvd set sometime ago. Watched it one day and found that it is truly a remarkable movie in all aspects of film making.
Pan's Labyrinth - Bought this one because of all the outstanding reviews, and it winning some Academy Awards; the movie/story interested me too of course. Anyways, watched this movie and loved it.
Oldboy - Purchased this one a while ago and found it to be an incredible movie. When the 3-disc Limited Edition was released I upgraded w/o hesitation. Great acting, writing, direction, cinematography... everything. This movie blew my mind the first time I watched it and remains one of my favorites.


I know I am forgetting some, and I'll post them if/when I remember. I'll also start thinking about the worst blind buys too; that is definitely going to be more difficult because I usually sell them or give them away immediately.