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This isn’t the end. Pop the film disc for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 into your DVD player and once past the obligatory copyright notice, first you will see an advert for the Lego games for years five to seven, and then the introductory video for Pottermore. So every time you’re reminded of tiny Harry, all wide eyes in Philosopher’s Stone, and start welling up a little at the idea that it’s finishing, you can always book your studio tour during a break in watching your Elder Wand DVD boxset and know that this franchise isn’t going anywhere.

But even while I am cynically half-expecting a reboot to be announced within a year, I was hard-pressed to stay completely dry-eyed while watching this two-disc package. We’ve reviewed the film itself pretty extensively so this post will focus on the special features. Like Part 1, the one difference between the Blu-ray and DVD is the Blu-ray version has Maximum Movie Mode, which interrupts your film-watching with extra behind-the-scenes information. It’s a shame there isn’t a more conventional commentary, which would be informative without being overly intrusive.

The Special Features disc is more satisfying, if not exactly overflowing with extras, and there are adverts scattered all throughout as if someone watching might actually be surprised that it was possible to get the other seven films on DVD and Blu-ray too. The Focus Points section contains nine behind the scenes featurettes (well, eight and a soppy farewell sequence) which provide interesting extra details on different aspects of the film, such as the Room of Requirement set, the Molly and Bellatrix fight and evolution of the costumes.

The most meaty feature is the 45 minute When Harry Left Hogwarts – a documentary with some behind the scenes coverage and a lot of banter and reflection on what Potter has meant to everyone. An air of melancholy colours all of their musings – Emma Thompson recommends therapy for the “kids”; Julie Walters declares the set as one of the least dysfunctional places they could have grown up on. Of Radcliffe, Grint and Watson, Emma is by far the most eloquent and thoughtful an interviewee, but all of the young adults speak about the pressure of being child stars and how it feels with the world waiting for them to screw up and what they have missed out on through not having a “normal” life – while all the time emphasising how happy they are and grateful for the opportunity. It’s also evident how much work the Harry Potter franchise has provided for people and I was left fretting about what the setbuilders and stunt people are going to do next. Stick with it through to the closing credits though, which might be my favourite part of the whole disc.

The Women of Harry Potter left me feeling similarly sad, even as Joanne Rowling speaks of being rightly proud of creating a wide range of well-rounded female characters. It’s the interviews with the dwarves in the main documentary and the additional The Goblins of Gringotts that provide a bit of relief from all the goodbyes and retrospection. This is partly down to getting to see Warwick Davis chat as himself and not as his Life’s Too Short character, but also because all of the actors playing goblins seem so good humoured and the excitement of Warwick Davis’ kids is very cute.

Apart from these features (and more adverts) there are eight deleted scenes, which are mostly small character moments that would have added a bit more emotion to the film’s existing action, including Tonks and Lupin reuniting on the Hogwarts’ battlements and a Ginny and Harry moment that I found more touching than any kiss they had in the films.

If you’re a fan, it’s hard to imagine you wouldn’t want this DVD in some form, whether it’s to join your existing seven others, or if you intend to buy all eight in one set. Although then you have to choose between a no-frills version, or a special numbered edition, or whether to hold on for a year if you believe the rumours of the “Ultimate” boxset, expected to come out at the end of 2012. (I told you the franchise wasn’t going anywhere).

And if you haven’t followed these films from Philosopher’s Stone to Deathly Hallows, I have no idea why you’re still reading this. You definitely don’t need me to tell you this isn’t the purchase for you.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 is out on DVD and Blu-ray on Friday. And then gets recalled on 29th December. Then will get re-released again and again and again ad infinitum.

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A few weeks ago I spent a surreal evening at the BBFC watching Pulp Fiction on Blu-ray. This was exciting for a multitude of reasons, not least because this means that Pulp Fiction is out on Blu-Ray soon, but because I got to sit in a BBFC screening room, complete with desks for film rating, and to hobnob with someone who was part of the decision to ban The Human Centipede 2 (back when it was banned).

One of the more interesting parts of the evening was when we were told about Pulp Fiction‘s journey through the BBFC and the detailed consideration a film goes through when an age certificate is decided on. I’m going to try to retell this as best as my memory can manage, bearing in mind I was drinking wine on an empty stomach.

Way back in 1994 Pulp Fiction was passed for cinema release uncut, it had a bit more trouble when it came to getting a home video release. There were major concerns amongst the public over the media’s portrayal of violence and whether this was inspiring real life incidences. The murder of Jamie Bulger was a major factor in this.

The matter was debated in parliament and it was even mooted that only films rated U should be allowed to have a home video release to keep people “safe”. Ultimately the government passed the Criminal Justice & Public Order Act 1994, legislation giving the BBFC clarified guidelines for classification.

While parliament debated the BBFC held off on rating Pulp Fiction, but with legislation passed they gave it an 18 certificate with a 3 second shot re-framed. So as not to glamorise drug taking the shot in question was re-framed to not show a needle actually penetrate an arm, you can see a comparison by clicking here.

With a little bit of speculation it seems that it was one man, the former director of the BBFC, James Ferman, who was causing all the fuss about the drug taking in Pulp Fiction. Something this interview with the BBC in 1998 supports, as Ferman calls the film “socially irresponsible”.

Now with the Blu-ray release the film has been rated once more and after extensive research, and the departure of James Ferman, it was decided that Pulp Fiction glamorised drug taking no more than it glamorised violence or dodgy dancing. In fact their research showed that footage of a spoon being heated is just as much of a trigger for an addict that a needle plunging into an arm.

As such Pulp Fiction is going to be available on Blu-ray from 17th October completely uncut, and with hours of extra features.

What I learnt most from the evening is that the BBFC are quite friendly human beings working within strict regulations who take their jobs seriously. Most surprising was the revelation that it could take just one man with a chip on his shoulder to force a film to have cuts made to it. These days the BBFC are much more transparent, but being human they can’t always get it right.

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Back in 1984 a film came out with a ridiculous plot, infectious soundtrack and brought Kevin Bacon angst-dancing into the spotlight. Few films can bring me as much joy as Footloose and I am very excited that it is out on Blu-ray today.

Sadly we haven’t been sent a copy to review, but a quick look at the list of special features below reveals a huge, and recent, involvement from Kevin Bacon. It is a testament to the greatest film ever made that the star has still not turned his back on one of his earlier films, something our Supercut proved too.

Footloose is available to buy on Blu-ray now, and if you’re feeling stingy can be picked up on DVD for less that £3. You’d be mad not to.

Special Features

• Commentary by Kevin Bacon
• Commentary by Producer Craig Zadan and Writer Dean Pitchford
• Let’s Dance! Kevin Bacon on Footloose
• From Bomont to the Big Apple: An Interview with Sarah Jessica Parker
• Remembering Willard
• Kevin Bacon’s Screen Test
• Kevin Bacon Costume Montage
• Footloose: A Modern Musical – Part 1
• Footloose: A Modern Musical – Part 2
• Footloose: Songs That Tell A Story
• Theatrical Trailer

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Film
We’ve covered this film so much you should know that we love it. Admittedly some cracks start to show on a second viewing but the excerpt from our review below still holds true:

This film is a powerhouse, particularly for a low-budget British monster movie, all the skill behind the camera makes up for any lack of budget, the aliens themselves a testament to ingenuity over cost.

Extras
At long last we have a DVD to review with some decent extras. The first disc holds the film and three different commentaries. The first features Joe Cornish and the young cast, the second Cornish and the older cast and the third commentary just Cornish and Edgar Wright. I only had time to listen to the final commentary, but being a fan of Wright and Cornish feel I made the right choice. With few references to the film as it played, this was more an extended discussion between two filmmakers about making your debut film. Funny and enlightening stuff.

On the second disc are five proper documentaries, one lasting for almost an hour. Rather than just talking heads and brief clips of behind the scenes action, this DVD goes in-depth into the whole production and doesn’t gloss over the more stressful side of filming on a tight time scale. One thing I couldn’t find was the featurette titled Joe’s Massage, either it was removed after the list of extras was released or it is an Easter Egg I failed to stumble upon.

Attack the Block is out on DVD and Blu-ray on September 19th 2011, and you should probably go and buy it.

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Film
I stand by our original review of Source Code; it is a thoughtful piece of sci-fi with a great idea at its core and a thought-provoking ending. What lets it down is that the perfect ending is about 10 minutes before the end credits and that the film gets a little lost in the middle as it focuses more on action than the big idea at play.

Great performances all round, and a very sympathetic running time, help to keep Source Code an enjoyable, tight thriller with as much brains as brawn driving the story forward.

Extras
The major bulk of the extras take the form of talking heads mixed with some behind the scenes footage. As usual the heads mostly talk about how great everyone was, though a few interesting titbits do slip through. It’s clear that plenty of behind the scenes footage was shot, so it’s a shame there’s no in-depth documentary, the sort I relish beyond all reason.

A nice addition is a set of beautifully animated short pieces called Expert Intel which briefly explain the science behind the plot to Source Code. You have to admire any DVD extra which briefly delves into trying to explain quantum mechanics to a mass audience.

Also available are an audio commentary with Jake Gyllenhaal, Duncan Jones and writer Ben Ripley and two different trivia tracks which can be switched on to enjoy alongside the movie. I had neither the time nor the inclination to watch the film three more times to sufficiently test these features.

Source Code is a fun film and with its agreeable running time is a DVD you might actually get round to watching more than once. To finish, some talking heads:

Source Code is out on DVD and Blu-ray today and you could do a lot worse.

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