Author Topic: BMWFilms: The Hire DVD (Seasons 1 & 2) (Read 14421 times)

THX1138 · « **on:** Jun 27, 2003 at 04:18 PM »

For a limited time you can get the entire set (Seasons 1 & 2) of "The Hire" short films from BMW, the car manufacturer, on DVD. The disk is free if you are a BMW owner in the US :-) and U$7.75 for the rest of us in the Philippines. Just place your orders at http://www.bmwfilms.com

My disc just arrived by mail yesterday and i didn't even have to pick it up at the post office.

When they first came out they were available for download online but having the whole set on DVD is a definite bonus.

As far as i can tell it is a region-free disc. All short films have a director's commentary, non-anamorphic letterbox presentations, DD5.1, and DD2.0.

The films themselves have quite a pedigree in film talent...

The Hire: Ambush (2001) - D: John Frankenheimer; W: Andrew Kevin Walker; S: Clive Owen
The Hire: Chosen (2001) - D: Ang Lee; S: Clive Owen
The Hire: Follow (2001) - D: Wong-Kar Wai; S: Clive Owen, Mickey Rourke, Adriana Lima, Forest Whitaker
The Hire: Star (2001) - D: Guy Ritchie; S: Clive Owen, Madonna
The Hire: Powder Keg (2001) - D: Alejandro González Iñárritu; S: Clive Owen, Stellan Skarsgård
The Hire: Hostage (2002) - D: John Woo; S: Maury Chaykin, Kathryn Morris
The Hire: Beat the Devil (2002) - D: Tony Scott; S: Clive Owen, Gary Oldman, James Brown, Marilyn Manson, Danny Trejo
The Hire: Ticker (2002) - D: Joe Carnahan; S: Clive Owen, Don Cheadle, F. Murray Abraham, Dennis Haysbert, Ray Liotta, Robert Patrick

DVD Extras:
Director's Commentary (All films)
Trailers (Hostage, Ticker, Beat The Devil)
Credits/Bios (All films)
"Making of" Videos (Hostage, Ticker, Beat The Devil)
"Making of" Production Stills (Hostage, Ticker, Beat The Devil)
"Making of" Storyboards (Hostage, Ticker)
Machines - Driving Techniques
Machines - Rig Images
The Hire - Cinema Trailer
The Hire - Long Trailer
The Hire - Digital Signage
The Making of The Hire - Season One
The Making of The Hire - Season Two
Machines - Overview/Performance (Gallery & Motion VR for the Z4)

The only thing that is somewhat depressing about this list of extras is that many of the extras found on the first issue of The Hire on DVD are not present here. Collectors of the original DVD will likely want to hang onto them if they want to have the trailers and sub-stories of the Season One films. Sadly, those are not included on this DVD.

Grandpoobah · « **Reply #1 on:** Jun 27, 2003 at 06:33 PM »

$7.75 including shipping?
This is great news for guys like me who want to complete the series!

SPaCeMaN SPiFF · « **Reply #2 on:** Jun 27, 2003 at 06:57 PM »

finally "the follow" on dvd!

how are the modes of payment? when you ordered, which region did you choose from the map? US? or the Philippines? how long did you have to wait for the discs to arrive? (patay na me if kailangan may international credit card! aaaargh!)

i have the first one... it would be nice to ge this more "complete" one. i know i signed up to be informed by email when the new disc was going to be available... am wondering why they never did.

and region 0 na yung disc? nice! the inital one was locked to region 1. (according to dvdgenie, that is)

SPaCeMaN SPiFF · « **Reply #3 on:** Jun 27, 2003 at 07:07 PM »

darn! you need an international credit card nga. :'(

anyone care to let me "sabit" with their order? he he heh.

Grandpoobah · « **Reply #4 on:** Jun 27, 2003 at 07:32 PM »

Quote from: SPaCeMaN SPiFF on Jun 27, 2003 at 07:07 PM

darn! you need an international credit card nga. :'(

anyone care to let me "sabit" with their order? he he heh.

I ordered mine - already after seeing this thread.
Funny, my credit card worked (BPI Mastercard gold)
4-6 weeks nga lang ang bubunuin para makuha ang DVD - maybe you should click the PHilippine Island on the map? You might have been lead to the default US site.

SPaCeMaN SPiFF · « **Reply #5 on:** Jun 27, 2003 at 10:03 PM »

really?

baka naman international yung credit card mo and you didn't know it? i also have visa and mastercard (equitable) pero di sila international. used to have international amex pero since i hadly used it... i let it go na. no hidden charges yan di ba?

how do they compute yung $7.75 into pesos... prevailing exchange rate?

Grandpoobah · « **Reply #6 on:** Jun 28, 2003 at 01:17 AM »

I always check the forex thru:
www.oanda.com
Use the FX converter.

I'm sure my credit card is locally issued.
Try mo ulit.

SPaCeMaN SPiFF · « **Reply #7 on:** Jun 28, 2003 at 09:25 AM »

Quote from: reinardian on Jun 28, 2003 at 01:17 AM

I always check the forex thru:
www.oanda.com
Use the FX converter.

I'm sure my credit card is locally issued.
Try mo ulit.

i see... well, i already sent a query to the webmaster regarding my dilemma. no reply yet...

oh, don't dorry reinardian... i trust ya when you say your card is locally issued. so is mine... but it specifically says "valid only in the philippines" sa likod eh. kaya medyo concerned ako kung pwede talaga sya.

i think some locally issued cards dito CAN be used for international transactions. i think yung mga issued ng citibank ganun. oh well, will have wait and see how the people at bmwfilm.com will answer my question. till then... the wait continues.

p.s. galing nung oanda site ha... i've never visited that site before.

Grandpoobah · « **Reply #8 on:** Jun 28, 2003 at 11:58 PM »

Quote from: SPaCeMaN SPiFF on Jun 28, 2003 at 09:25 AM

i see... well, i already sent a query to the webmaster regarding my dilemma. no reply yet...

oh, don't dorry reinardian... i trust ya when you say your card is locally issued. so is mine... but it specifically says "valid only in the philippines" sa likod eh. kaya medyo concerned ako kung pwede talaga sya.

i think some locally issued cards dito CAN be used for international transactions. i think yung mga issued ng citibank ganun. oh well, will have wait and see how the people at bmwfilm.com will answer my question. till then... the wait continues.

p.s. galing nung oanda site ha... i've never visited that site before.

oanda is heaven sent if you are buying stuff online in $$$!

jegiwong · « **Reply #9 on:** Jul 10, 2003 at 06:01 AM »

I ordered two copies after read this thread. They confirmed my order by e-mail on June 27 and it arrived at my house yesterday (July 10). It only takes two weeks, instead 4-6 weeks as mentioned in their website. Surprise!!

They don't put anything to pack the DVD. Only stick a card at the back of DVD to put the address. One of the DVD received has broken shrinkwrap and the small plastic part to lock the DVD case is broken. I may need to change the case.

dragonrower · « **Reply #10 on:** Jul 11, 2003 at 05:49 AM »

Quote from: jegiwong on Jul 10, 2003 at 06:01 AM

I ordered two copies after read this thread. They confirmed my order by e-mail on June 27 and it arrived at my house yesterday (July 10). It only takes two weeks, instead 4-6 weeks as mentioned in their website. Surprise!!
They don't put anything to pack the DVD. Only stick a card at the back of DVD to put the address. One of the DVD received has broken shrinkwrap and the small plastic part to lock the DVD case is broken. I may need to change the case.

you got both seasons?

jegiwong · « **Reply #11 on:** Jul 11, 2003 at 06:00 AM »

My two copies are the same. I think that both seasons are in the same single disc.

THX1138 · « **Reply #12 on:** Jul 11, 2003 at 04:45 PM »

Glad you got your copies.
Enjoy....

SPaCeMaN SPiFF · « **Reply #13 on:** Jul 12, 2003 at 04:01 AM »

wondering lang.... i haven't really ordered yet... as per my dilemma on my previous post but i've been thinking ....

saan ang point of origin ng mga packages na na-recieve ninyo? sa states ba? or somewhere closer like singapore or malaysia? i was wondering kasi who processes their orders from the asia website.

jegiwong · « **Reply #14 on:** Jul 12, 2003 at 09:03 AM »

I click on the area of Asia (not the big area of China).

I think that it is still processed in US. The printed card for mailing address at the back of DVD shows that US postage paid. It also shows their address in NJ. Probably, it is New Jersey.

I am using VISA card issued by HSBC in HK

dragonrower · « **Reply #15 on:** Jul 13, 2003 at 10:05 AM »

Quote from: jegiwong on Jul 12, 2003 at 09:03 AM

I click on the area of Asia (not the big area of China).

I think that it is still processed in US. The printed card for mailing address at the back of DVD shows that US postage paid. It also shows their address in NJ. Probably, it is New Jersey.

I am using VISA card issued by HSBC in HK

pwede kaya ang citibank clear mastercard ko? $:-\$ interesadong interesado nakong kumuha eh

may hidden charges pa ba ito? help naman mga ka-toto

SPaCeMaN SPiFF · « **Reply #16 on:** Jul 13, 2003 at 12:50 PM »

Quote from: dragonrower on Jul 13, 2003 at 10:05 AM

pwede kaya ang citibank clear mastercard ko? $:-\$ interesadong interesado nakong kumuha eh

may hidden charges pa ba ito? help naman mga ka-toto

i don't think there are hidden charges... but as for whether or not pwede and clear card mo... i think it's best you ask the citibank people themselves. i think as long as walang "valid only in the philippines" yung card... pwede ata.

Grandpoobah · « **Reply #17 on:** Jul 14, 2003 at 09:24 AM »

I got mine naman July 11 - Friday! - ordered June 27 - that's two weeks din (as opposed to 4-6 weeks waiting time they mentioned). Nackapackage lang ito like sealed DVDs tapos may sticker ng shipping address mo. No hidden charges - $7 lang talaga (nakuha ko na bill ng card ko). Wala itong inserts but it has a raffle coupon that could let you win a z4 bmw! Asteeeg! Ganda ng transfer - they kept the original letterbox format as seen on the bmwfilms.com site. The extras are cool too, will post pics of menu/interface later!

Kuha na! $7.00 - DVD + Shipping in 2 weeks time!
Ganda ng THE FOLLOW and STAR!

SPaCeMaN SPiFF · « **Reply #18 on:** Jul 17, 2003 at 06:32 PM »

wondering... has anyone gotten a "defective" disc yet? did BMW mention anything about defective discs? will they replace them?

slowhand · « **Reply #19 on:** Aug 01, 2003 at 07:37 PM »

Got mine today, August 1. Ordered July 18. That's exactly two weeks.

dragonrower · « **Reply #20 on:** Aug 03, 2003 at 07:44 AM »

hmmmm... so malapit na rin ang sa friend ko na dadarating, nakisakay kasi ako sa kanya eh, ordered july 21

Blankman · « **Reply #21 on:** Aug 26, 2003 at 01:52 PM »

Quote from: reinardian on Jul 14, 2003 at 09:24 AM

I got mine naman July 11 - Friday! - ordered June 27 - that's two weeks din (as opposed to 4-6 weeks waiting time they mentioned). Nackapackage lang ito like sealed DVDs tapos may sticker ng shipping address mo. No hidden charges - $7 lang talaga (nakuha ko na bill ng card ko). Wala itong inserts but it has a raffle coupon that could let you win a z4 bmw! Asteeeg! Ganda ng transfer - they kept the original letterbox format as seen on the bmwfilms.com site. The extras are cool too, will post pics of menu/interface later!

Kuha na! $7.00 - DVD + Shipping in 2 weeks time!
Ganda ng THE FOLLOW and STAR!

I got mine for less than 2 weeks, around 10 days.

Agree about "The Follow," stylish yet subtle in its clues and presentation. Cool Argentinian music too.

I also think "Hostage" was very good-- fast adrenaline rush, then a sudden twist that plays like a climax to a major motion picture. I liked this one a lot better than John Woo's last 2 movies.

I also visited www.thehiretriviacontest.com and learned that the Roadster contest is open only to U.S. residents.

JOHN

xage · « **Reply #22 on:** Jun 09, 2006 at 08:09 AM »

I guess, it is now an official OOP since BMW site discontinued its sales and video download of it.

http://www.bmwusa.com/uniquelybmw/bmw_art/films

Exclusive from BMW Films

Clive Owen's Launchpad to success...

1st Press Release of the Hire

Current/OOP Release of the Hire

hemisphere · « **Reply #23 on:** Jun 09, 2006 at 10:28 AM »

i own the second release. is the first release in digipak/blister pack? saw one in cd jewel case. i wonder if it's the same release?

xage · « **Reply #24 on:** Jun 09, 2006 at 11:17 AM »

This one I got was in digipack

hemisphere · « **Reply #25 on:** Jun 09, 2006 at 12:28 PM »

this is a good demo disc material. will include if ever.

xage · « **Reply #26 on:** Jun 10, 2006 at 02:23 AM »

Quote from: hemisphere on Jun 09, 2006 at 10:28 AM

i own the second release. is the first release in digipak/blister pack? saw one in cd jewel case. i wonder if it's the same release?

Im not sure what were the onctents, but youa re exactly correct! Ther is one more version of the hire which sports a jewel case packaging.

SPaCeMaN SPiFF · « **Reply #27 on:** Jun 10, 2006 at 03:19 AM »

test your copies guys... people all over have noticed serious degradation on some of the discs that were sent out.

some refused to play anymore... while other would only have parts of the disc as "unplayable". my copy is of the latter. $:-\$

hemisphere · « **Reply #28 on:** Jun 12, 2006 at 12:17 AM »

mine plays beautifully well.. no sign of dvd rot... yet.

SPaCeMaN SPiFF · « **Reply #29 on:** Jun 12, 2006 at 04:28 AM »

Quote from: xage on Jun 10, 2006 at 02:23 AM

Im not sure what were the onctents, but youa re exactly correct! Ther is one more version of the hire which sports a jewel case packaging.

maybe the one in the jewel case is the one which has the follow included?

Quote from: hemisphere on Jun 12, 2006 at 12:17 AM

mine plays beautifully well.. no sign of dvd rot... yet.

lucky you! $:-\$