One of Woody Allen's best-loved films, this won three richly deserved Oscars* (for Michael Caine, Dianne Wiest and the screenplay), and is a joy from start to perfectly judged finish. Hannah (Mia Farrow) is a devoted wife, loving mother and successful actress. She's also the emotional backbone of the family, and her sisters Lee (Barbara Hershey) and Holly (Dianne Wiest) depend on this stability while also resenting it because they can't help but compare Hannah's seemingly perfect life with theirs. But with her husband Elliot (Michael Caine) becoming increasingly interested in Lee, it's clear that Hannah might have problems of her own. An unusually strong supporting cast includes Allen himself as Hannah's existentially conflicted ex-husband and Max von Sydow as a perfectionist artist, but it's Caine who practically steals the film as a middle-aged man behaving like a lovesick teenager. It also has some of Allen's greatest one-liners, with a philosophical discussion about the nature of good and evil getting shot down with How should I know why there were Nazis? I don't even know how the can opener works.
Fantastical writer Gary Ross (Big, Dave) makes an auspicious directorial debut with this inspired and oddly touching comedy about two 90s kids (Tobey Maguire and Reese Witherspoon) thrust into the black-and-white TV world of Pleasantville, a Leave It to Beaver-style sitcom complete with picket fences, corner malt shop and warm chocolate chip cookies. When a somewhat unusual remote control (provided by repairman Don Knotts) transports them from the jaded real world to G-rated TV land, Maguire and Witherspoon are forced to play along as Bud and Mary Sue, the obedient children of George and Betty Parker (William H Macy and Joan Allen). Maguire, an obsessive Pleasantville devotee, understands the need for not toppling the natural balance of things; Witherspoon, on the other hand, starts shaking the town up, most notably when she takes football stud Skip (Paul Walker) up to Lover's Lane for some modern-day fun and games. Soon enough, Pleasantville's teens are discovering sex along with--gasp!--rock & roll, free thinking and soul-changing Technicolour. Filled with delightful and shrewd details about sitcom life (no toilets, no double beds, only two streets in the town), Pleasantville is a joy to watch, not only for its comedy but for the groundbreaking visual effects and astonishing production design as the town gradually transforms from crisp black and white to glorious colour. Ross does tip his hand a bit about halfway through the film, obscuring the movie's basic message of the unpredictability of life with overloaded and obvious symbolism, as the black-and-white denizens of the town gang up on the "coloureds" and impose rules of conduct to keep their strait-laced town laced up. Still, the characterizations from the phenomenal cast--especially repressed housewife Allen and soda-shop owner Jeff Daniels, doing some of their best work ever--will keep you emotionally invested in the film's outcome and waiting to see Pleasantville in all its final Technicolor glory. --Mark Englehart
Peggy Mount stars as the world's most terrifying mother in law in this British Comedy favourite based on the hugely successful stage farce!
Matt Groening's second series of the 31st century sci-fi sitcom Futurama maintained the high scripting standards of the first as well bringing improved digital animation. Couch potato Fry now seems thoroughly reconciled to his new existence, transported 10 centuries hence to "New New York" and working for Professor Farnsworth's delivery service. He's surrounded by a cast of freaks, including the bitchily cute Amy (with whom he has a romantic brush) and Hermes, the West Indian bureaucrat. Most sympathetic is the one-eyed Leela (voiced by Katey Sagal). Like Lisa Simpson, she is brilliant but unappreciated; she finds solace in her pet Nibbler, a tiny creature with a voracious, carnivorous appetite. By contrast, Bender, the robot, is programmed with every human vice, a sort of metal Homer Simpson with a malevolent streak. In one of the best episodes, Bender is given a "feelings" chip in order to empathise with Leela after he flushes Nibbler down the toilet. Elsewhere, Fry falls in love with a Mermaid when the team discover the lost city of Atlanta, Fry and Bender end up going to war after they join the army to get a discount on gum, and John Goodman guest stars as Santa Claus, an eight-foot gun-toting robot. Brimful with blink-and-you'll-miss-them hip jokes (such as the sign for the Taco Bellevue hospital) and political and pop satire, Futurama isn't a stern warning of things to come but rather, as the programme-makers put it, "a brilliant, hilarious reflection of our own materially (ridiculously) over-developed but morally under-developed society." On the DVD: Futurama's four-disc package presents the show in 4:3 with a Dolby Digital soundtrack. Among the many extras here are audio commentaries, storyboards, trailers, mock ads for "Soylent Chow" and "Human Rinds" and deleted scenes, including one from "Bender Gets Made" in which he seeks to evade the Robot Mafia by changing his identity. --David Stubbs
A unique collection from the 1970's and 1980's cult tv series - the four classic episodes included are: The Vorpal Blade: A notorious duel to the death in Germany in the 1920's has scarred the lives of many who were involved - including elderly aristocrat Von Baden who recalls the deadly challenge and reveals a shocking secret. The Tribute: Three thrifty ex-colonial ladies are re-united when they learn of the death of a devoted servant who once served all their familie
Back together at last with Jonny Janet has just arrived at The Castle in time to see him shot by the police. Luckily he survives and spurred on by his near-death experience the couple find new depth in their relationship. For Donna and Gaz things are not so encouraging. Donna finds out that Gaz has slept with Janet - will she ever forgive him? Meanwhile Louise at last meets the man of her dreams - or does she? Episodes comprise: 1. Dead 2. Nobbly Bobbly 3. Shrink 4. Ec
Orphans is the poignant and often hilarious story of the night before four sibling bury their mother. Gathering at the family home they prepare for her funeral. Thomas the eldest son decides to spend the night in the chapel of rest Michael becomes involved in a pub brawl Sheila is left stranded in her wheelchair after leaving Thomas and John plans a revenge attack after hearing about Michael... Peter Mullan won a range of international film awards for his direction of a fil
Suspense and wry humour abound in this classic murder mystery set in an English country house – one of the first films made in Britain by influential American director Bernard Vorhaus with a cast that includes former child star Sally Blane acclaimed British player Lewis Casson and comedy stalwarts Hay Petrie and Hal Gordon. Released in 1933 Crime on the Hill is featured here in a brand-new transfer from the original film elements in its as-exhibited theatrical aspect ratio. A wealthy squire who had bequeathed much of his estate to his niece is found to have been poisoned and suspicion soon falls upon the young woman's fiance Tony. As speculation runs rife in the village a local vicar turns amateur sleuth in an attempt to prove the young man's innocence... Features: Image Gallery Original Script PDF
Renowned Scottish actor Peter Mullan (Trainspotting, My Name Is Joe) made his feature film directing debut with this fierce jet-black comedy of familial grief shot in and around the streets of Glasgow where he grew up. As it tells the story of four siblings who reunite for the funeral of their mother, Orphans blends realist drama, wildly absurdist humour, and moving social observation. Taking wicked delight in subverting audience expectations, this gleefully unsentimental film is a dark, dangerous, funny and extraordinarily touching modern classic of Scottish cinema. INDICATOR STANDARD EDITION SPECIAL FEATURES High Definition remaster Original 5.1 surround sound and stereo audio tracks Audio commentary with writer-director Peter Mullan (2000) Orphans Reunited (2019, 60 mins): Hopscotch Films' 20th-anniversary documentary featuring interviews with Mullan, actors Douglas Henshall, Gary Lewis, Stephen McCole, and Rosemarie Stevenson, composer Craig Armstrong, and others The Making of 'Orphans' (2000, 33 mins): archival documentary featuring behind-the-scenes footage Deleted scenes with optional director commentary (12 mins) Audition tapes with optional director commentary (17 mins) Three short films directed by Mullan: Close (1994, 17 mins), Good Day for the Bad Guys (1995, 23 mins), and Fridge (1995, 21 mins) Original theatrical trailer Image gallery: publicity and promotional material New and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
The fourth series of Sex and the City is just as smart and sexy as ever, mixing caustic adult wit and sharply observed situation comedy on the mean streets of Manhattan, though this time the quartet of singleton city girls must endure even tougher combat in the unending war of love, sex and shopping. Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) finally seems to have found her ideal life partner when she is reunited with handsome craftsman Aidan. But can their relationship survive trial by cohabitation? Meanwhile Charlotte (Kristin Davis) seems to have both her dream Park Avenue apartment and a solution to her marital problems with Trey (Kyle MacLachlan), as well as conquering his fearsome mother. But when the subject of babies comes up everything starts to unravel for her, too. It's not just Charlotte having baby issues either: after what seems like an eternity of enforced sexual abstinence, Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) is horrified to discover she's pregnant. And as for the sultry Samantha (Kim Cattrall), she's on a quest for monogamy, first with an exotic lesbian artist then with a philandering businessman, with whom to her utter dismay she just might have fallen in love. --Mark Walker
Billy Elliot: Inside every one of us is a special talent waiting to come out. The trick is finding it. Starring Julie Walters and newcomer Jamie Bell the film (based on a real-life story) follows the progress of little Billy Elliot a motherless 11 year-old from a poor Durham pit village. When young Billy chooses ballet classes over boxing lessons his life is changed forever. He decides to keep the lessons secret from his father a coal miner but when his ballet instructor persuades him to try out for the Royal Ballet School in London Billy must make the choice between family responsibilities and his dreams... Billy Elliot received plenty of recognition at the Academy Awards picking up nominations for Best Supporting Actress Best Director and Best Screenplay. (Dir. Stephen Daldry 2000) Steel Magnolia's: A beautiful bittersweet comedy set in deep south Louisiana 'Steel Magnolias' unites talents of America's finest actresses as six very special friends bonded together by mutual triumphs and tragedies. Despite their differences beautiful Shelby (Julia Roberts) her strong-willed mother M'Lynn (Sally Field) beauty parlour owner Truvy (Dolly Parton) elegant wealthy widow Clairee (Olympia Dukakis) sharp tongued Ouiser (Shirley MacLaine) and mousey newcomer Anelle (Daryl Hannah) enjoy a friendship that spans the boundaries of age and status. Sharing each other's strength and loyalty they face their greatest fears and highest hopes with dry wit and a self-deprecating style... (Dir. Herbert Ross 1989) Erin Brockovich: She brought a small town to its feet and a huge corporation to its knees. A research assistant (Roberts) helps an attorney (Finney) in a lawsuit against a large utility company blamed for causing an outbreak of cancer and other illnesses in a small community. (Dir. Steven Soderbergh 2000)
Someone Is Playing A Very Deadly Game... This edge-of-your-seat thriller stars sexy Halle Berry (pre 'Monster's Ball') as a beautiful woman hopelessly trapped in a web of suspense and terror where nothing is what it seems! Josie Potenza (Berry) has it all: a fabulous home a life of privilege and a wealthy husband. But Josie's seemingly perfect life takes a nightmarish turn when her husband is brutally murdered making her the prime suspect in the police investigation...and the prime
Homer's epic poem telling of the siege of Troy by vengeful Greek forces after Helena is taken from them gets the lavish Hollywood treatment with an all-star cast under the direction of the respected Robert Wise.
Get ready to be entertained by America's first family of fright. In this timeless one-of-a-kind comedy series. The unforgettable family of The Munsters casts a hilarious spell that will keep you laughing through every episode! Episodes comprise: 1. Munster Masquerade 2. My Fair Munster 3. A Walk on the Mild Side 4. Rock-a-Bye Munster 5. Pike's Pique 6. Low-Cal Munster 7. Tin Can Man 8. Herman the Great 9. Knock Wood Here Comes Charlie 10. Autu
Martin Kemp Alyssa Milano Charlotte Lewis and Jennifer Tilly head the star-studded cast of this gripping and eerily gothic feast of blood sex and seduction. Infected with the curse of the undead a tortured vampire has been condemned to a lonely search through the centuries for the reincarnation of his long-lost love Charlotte. With only days left before being damned to eternal sleep the love-struck nosferatu discovers his beloved's soul living in the virginal body of a young college student. But before he can suck her into his world of all-consuming darkness and passion he must first regain Charlotte's affections. Seducing her with demonic dream images of sensuality he sows evil seeds of doubt to reap his harvest of salvation. Transforming her from a shy virgin into a wild promiscuous woman hungry for sex with anyone - men and women - the vampire will destroy anyone who threatens his race for unholy matrimony...
A rare specimen from the more deranged end of the Grindhouse spectrum, Miss Leslie's Dolls is a memorably demented tale of possession and transvestitism from director Joseph G. Prieto (who, under the name Joseph P. Mawra, directed the outrageous 1965 lesbian sexploitation documentary Chained Girls). Believed lost for decades, it has been remastered from original film elements especially for this release. Stranded in the backwoods during a thunderstorm, a beautiful teacher and her three promiscuous students take refuge at a lonely house owned by the middle-aged Miss Leslie. Miss Leslie, however, is less a mild-mannered spinster and more an axe-wielding, homicidal cross-dresser intent on transferring his spirit into the nubile body of any girl foolish enough to come visiting...
From the director of THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT comes Lovely Molly, a hauntingly terrifying account of one woman's struggle to overcome a dark presence that haunts her. When newlywed Molly returns to her long-abandoned family home, she is plagued by a series of disturbing events that leave her shaken and defenceless. Reminders of a nightmarish childhood lead her to the shocking conclusion that, somewhere in the house, lies an supernatural spirit that will pull Molly and all those around h...
Last Of The Mohicans: 1757: the war raging between England and France in the American colonies enters its third year. Moving through the dangerous and untamed land is the frontiersman Hawkeye adopted son of the Mohican Chingachgook. En route to a camp in the West he breaks up an ambush and rescues a group of English people including Cora Munro. Hawkeye agrees to guide them to safety and in doing so all their fates become intertwined as they are forced to fight to survive both the war - and the wilderness... The Mission: Set in the quasi-mystical rain forests of South America 'The Mission' presents each man with his greatest challenge. The priest (Irons) has come to spread the word of God amongst the Guarani Indians; the mercenary (De Niro) has come to enslave them. With the passing of time their destinies become entwined... Robin Hood - Prince Of Thieves: It was a time of tyrants: the only way to uphold the truth was to break the law. He fought for the good of all men and for the love of just one woman. Kevin Costner brings the epic hero Robin Hood to life in a film filled with pageantry intrigue action and romance. With an outstanding cast record-breaking theme song and film production on a sweeping scale 'Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves' has become a legend in its own right.
François Truffaut co-writes and directs this classic drama adapted from Ray Bradbury's novel. In the not-too-distant future, forbidden volumes of literature are burned regularly by the 'firemen'. Montag (Oskar Werner) is the man in charge of the burnings, but after meeting a revolutionary book-owner, schoolteacher Clarisse (Julie Christie), he begins to have doubts - both about his vocation and his dead marriage to pleasure-seeking Linda (also Christie). Curious about the draw of literature, Montag keeps forbidden volumes of books for himself, and soon embarks on a secret affair with Linda. The cast also includes Anton Diffring and Cyril Cusack.
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