DVD World and Sleepless-Beware

[Camino_real]

Given away with this months copy of DVD World is a double feature DVD containing Day of the Dead 2: Contagium and SleeplessWrapped in a clear poly bag the front of the DVD case says "Twice the terror! DVD world proudly presents 2 uncut full length feature films plus special features."

I don't usually buy DVD World it's coverage of genre movies is superficial and the adult film section doesn't have anything that I would be interested in (you'd have to get rid of the women). However I thought I'd buy it to get a decent copy of Sleepless for £4.99. Contagium was a "bonus" (if that's the word),

When I got the magazine home and ripped off the poly bag I found that the Argento film could only be viewed by calling or texting a number to receive a viewing code which would cost you £5.

Now, nowhere on the front cover does it mention that these films are free, but you are led to assume that they are. I think there are regulations to stop this sort of truth-bending and I shall be contacting the Advertising Standards Authority on Monday.

I shall never buy an issue again.

Edit: Just seen the locked thread on DVD world about this very issue so ignore me!

[WilsonBros]

That's bloody disgusting - I have only bought one issue of DVD World just to get the disc that came with it, but I sure as hell wouldn't buy another one after this! :mad:

Kev W

[dubster75]

not the first time this has been mentioned:

http://www.cultmovieforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16887&highlight=dvd+world

[shixxler]

You can circumvent the need for a code with these films by using some free software called DVDfab. By using the HD decriptor option you can play the locked movie using the preview movie option which can be double clicked on to make it full screen, or rip the movie and burn it to a balck disc. DVDfab can be obtained from download.com

[ForestFilmsUK]

It honestly is about time that Trading Standards or somebody took appropriate action against DVD World for these types of scam.
If it was mentioned on the magazine or bag where you could be informed before buying it, then fair enough, but the fact that you have to pay extra for the second film is very deliberately hidden, with the intent of misleading people.
It's completely dishonest and totally unacceptable.

[christats]

DVD World's second rant at recently.As the other thread says.
I have bought this issue and the previous as I wanted a read.I was expecting Sleepless to be locked and I have it anyway.

Its happened at least once possibly 2 or 3 times before.There was a Island of Doctor Moreau disk locked as well.
One of the two on it anyway.

I certainly wouldn't pay an extra fiver to unlock a film on a seemingly bad quality disc anyway.
The last made a clicking noise.Rather pay a few quid more for a full release.

As for it being hidden,it would have to be with Contagium being the only freebee.

Its safe to assume that a double feature from now on will be like this with the magazine.?

[bvmjain]

This months issue has been revamped - Gone is the Sex/Adult content - replaced with generic reviews of dvd hardware.

The FREE dvd is : Jean Rollin's 'Night Of The Hunted'

The editorial mentions the fact that they were having difficulty getting the magazine stocked in certain places, due to the adult content.

Also they mention that they are reviewing the Free / locked dvd policy- although, they go on to say, that these issues sold in higher numbers
(Not surprising- as people thought that they were getting 2 free films)

[mrb]

I wouldn't mind betting this is because of W H Smiths.

Or W H Smugs, as Private Eye magazine called them when they where refusing to stock it.

[jayzus]

I think WH Smiths only started selling DVD World, because that section was looking bare with the closure of Premiere, Starburst, Film Review, Shivers etc in the last few years.

[WillHay]

I think WH Smiths only started selling DVD World, because that section was looking bare with the closure of Premiere, Starburst, Film Review, Shivers etc in the last few years.

Starburst has gone?

Has the Dark Side come back?

Shivers was terrible - I bought an issue a couple of years back and it was hardly worth reading. Shame, as when it first started I subscribed to it.

How ironic that when a lot of the horror material was not easily available, there were heaps of magazines and fanzines. Now even Jess Franco turns up as questions on Eggheads and you can get a heap of his movies on DVD there are hardly any publications left!

[jacksmith1983]

I agree that Shivers was rubbish magazine. I started buyng it briefly circa 2001/2002 and it was nothing but endless articles about Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Angel and The X-Files along with the occassional feature on fairly mainstream horror fare such as Wes Craven films or the Nightmare On Elm Street series which recycled the same old stories we've all read 1,000 times before. Just utter crap really...

Dark Side still appears to be "on hiatus"

[fulci1971]

does anyone know any more about the darkside and when it will be comming back

[jacksmith1983]

Hopefully never... :p

Seriously though, their website offers no indication whatsoever of when publication may resume.

Dark Side Website (http://www.darksidemagazine.com/)

[jacksmith1983]

I was in my local newsagents today and happened to notice that this months DVD World comes with an allegedly "free" DVD double-bill of Abel Ferrara's Cat Chaser and Tobe Hooper's The Funhouse, two more titles from the Arrow back catalogue. I presume that DVD World are running their usual glorified scam where at least one of the purportedly free films turns out to be anything but? Has anyone been brave enough to buy this months issue and find out?

[bvmjain]

The 'Cat chaser' is Free/unlocked

'Funhouse' is £5.00 / Locked

[jacksmith1983]

Well The Funhouse can be had for roughly that price anyway online, so not much of a "freebie" at all really.

[bigandya]

Well The Funhouse can be had for roughly that price anyway online, so not much of a "freebie" at all really.

Its not a freebie at all.

Perhaps a voucher that can be redeemed against Arrow films would be a better idea? Or a discount voucher for use with Play.com or Movietyme or somewhere else? ANYTHING in fact that doesnt feel like a rip-off.

I stopped buying Arrow films as a result of this, except for the ones I have to own. Its my way of saying I dont support this scam.

[christats]

I've seen worse "scams".

I bought DVD World again today.I don't mind the magazine.Since the uninteresting porn section has gone as well.

£4.99 for a Mag and a film isn't bad.Cat Chaser,not seen it.

It would be less of a bug bear if there was any indication that one of the films has to have a code bought.for people less wise to it.

I nearly forgot there is a scam,Survival of the Dead has a 4/5 rating on all counts.
Not what I've been reading

[claire]

I don't buy magazines but I do sometimes flick through the review pages on a lunchbreak if I'm passing WH Smiths.

Anyway, I noticed the lastest DVD World there and looked at the DVD on the cover, just out of curiosity. It does actually say, admittedly in small writing, that you need to pay to unlock Funhouse. or something like that. Says it clearly on the front.

On a mildly related note, I also noticed a special edition of Classic Rock magazine with the new Slash CD on the cover. I assumed this was a freebie. When I looked closer (God knows why - I don't buy magazines and I don't have any interest in Slash), the magazine was £14.99. Cheeky fuckers.