"Actor: Alice"

• The Pornographer | DVD | (23/09/2002) from £8.49   |  Saving you £11.50 (135.45%)   |  RRP £19.99

  An art house movie that asks questions about the morality of art both on and off screen, The Pornographer is a hard-hitting yet strangely unmoving film. Very much a product of the French school of intellectual cinema, the filmmaker of the title is Jacques Laurent (played by Jean Pierre Leaud), a one-time director of adult films who, finding himself down on his luck, is forced to return to his old medium. Far from being a gaudy Boogie Nights style exposé of an unknown world, the film focuses on Laurent's inner turmoil and his rapidly disintegrating relationship with his wife, as well as his restored one with his son Joseph (Jeremie Renier). Director Betrend Bonello handles this material well, if overdoing the art house clichés a little, but the problem with the film (or for some its strong point) comes with the fairly hardcore sex scenes, presented as part of Laurent's movie. While intended to reflect the emptiness of the character's soul, it is hard to see past them as just an attention-grabbing device. Then again, can a film about pornography legitimately not feature sex? One suspects that this debate will run and run and, in its way, The Pornographer has much to say on the subject. On the DVD: The Pornographer's intended release fell foul of the BBFC, who objected to one particularly explicit scene, a continuing argument that provides much of the material for the DVD's extra features. There is a reproduction of the BFFC ruling, a statement in reply from Bonello (which demonstrate the similarities he shares with his fictional counterpart, certainly when it comes to a vision of erotica) and an excellent essay from critic Pierre Perrene. In addition there are biographies, the cinematic trailer and an option to view the film with or without English subtitles. Whatever the moral questions involved, Bonello's film is a visual treat and his stylish eye is well represented by this format. --Phil Udell

• Shameless - Series 1-5 - Complete | DVD | (21/04/2008) from £29.99   |  Saving you £40.00 (133.38%)   |  RRP £69.99

  Blisteringly funny offbeat drama following the rollercoaster lives and loves of an anarchic family from Manchester. Meet the Gallaghers. Mum went AWOL years ago Dad stayed at home with the six children only to hit the bottle. And sometimes the kids... The real head of the family is big sister Fiona (20) who looks after Carl (11) Debbie (9) and baby Liam (3). She is occasionally helped more often hindered by reluctant virgin 'Lip' (16) and the actively gay but very private Ian (15). Welcome to a hectic world of sexual adventures triumphs love scams and a fair bit of crime on a rough Manchester housing estate where wheel-less cars are the norm and the moving ones are stolen.

• Coast Series 7 | DVD | (18/06/2012) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Coast explores the edge of our lives, the coastline that marries us to the sea. It takes in the life of that coastline, the people who live there, the history played out upon it and the sea itself, a tempestuous and unpredictable bride that also brings food and comfort to those who visit its shores.Nick Crane is joined by a fascinated and fascinating team of expert presenters including Neil Oliver, Miranda Krestovnikoff, Mark Horton, Tessa Dunlop, Dick Strawbridge, Andy Torbet, Hermione Cockburn, Ian McMillan and Ruth Goodman as they discover the rich landscapes and lifestyles that appear along our shores.Featuring:The Mysteries of the IslesLife Beyond the EdgeThe Hidden History of HarboursPeril from the SeasThe Riddle of the TidesThe Secret Life of Beaches

• One Hundred Men And A Girl | DVD | (07/03/2011) from £6.98   |  Saving you £6.01 (46.30%)   |  RRP £12.99

  The daughter of a struggling musician forms a symphony orchestra made up of his unemployed friends and leads them to a radio contract.

• Star Trek 8 - First Contact (Special Edition) | DVD | (06/06/2005) from £12.95   |  Saving you £15.03 (150.90%)   |  RRP £24.99

  Even-numbered Star Trek movies tend to be better, and this one (number eight in the popular series) is no exception--an intelligently handled plot involving the galaxy-conquering Borg and their attempt to invade Earth's past, alter history, and "assimilate" the entire human race. Time travel, a dazzling new Enterprise, and capable direction by Next Generation alumnus Jonathan Frakes makes this one rank with the best of the bunch. Capt. Picard (Patrick Stewart) and his able crew travel back in time to Earth in the year 2063, where they hope to ensure that the inventor of warp drive (played by James Cromwell) will successfully carry out his pioneering warp-drive flight and precipitate Earth's "first contact" with an alien race. A seductive Borg queen (Alice Krige) holds Lt. Data (Brent Spiner) hostage in an effort to sabotage the Federation's preservation of history, and the captive android finds himself tempted by the queen's tantalising sins of the flesh. Sharply conceived to fit snugly into the burgeoning Star Trek chronology, First Contact leads to a surprise revelation that marks an important historical chapter in the ongoing mission "to boldly go where no one has gone before". --Jeff Shannon

• Six Feet Under: Complete Series 2 | DVD | (21/06/2004) from £21.98   |  Saving you £31.00 (155.08%)   |  RRP £50.99

  In some ways, HBO's Six Feet Under plays kid brother to the Sopranos: it's spunkier, less refined, chancier and a bit of a punk. Nevertheless, the show, set in the southern California mortuary Fisher and Sons, deserves its place in the pantheon of great television series. The initial series was a showcase for the most original characters, including tight-lipped brother David (Michael C Hall) coming out of the closet, emotionally trippy mom Ruth (Frances Conroy) and the most complex girlfriend on the face of the planet, Brenda (Rachel Griffiths). Slowly, the major force in series two 2 is the unassuming lead, Peter Krause. Part of the long line of good-looking actors who never get respect because they make it look too easy, Krause finds the perfect blend of optimism and wonderful, bittersweet anguish as Nate, the prodigal son. The opening series' happy ending is forgotten as relationships change, the business is still under fire from the evil conglomerate Kroehner, and a lively dream sequence is just around the corner. As with the first series, creator Alan Ball lets many others direct and write the show, but his stamp is all over it. The eccentricities of the characters are shaped, and not always suddenly. Take daughter Claire (Lauren Ambrose), who sheds her bad boyfriend only to find more complex relationships on her road to discovering her own groove. One person in the mix is Ruth's beatnik sister (Patricia Clarkson, in an Emmy-winning role). She's a joyous embodiment of thriving--if ageing--counter-culture. Another new character is Nate's old girlfriend, the granola-loving Lisa (Lili Taylor). With Brenda heading down another destructive course, Nate is at more than one crossroads by series' end. For fans who groove with the wild, serio-comedic world of the Fishers (and let's face it, many didn't), the second series goes down like a fine meal of fusion cuisine. --Doug Thomas

• The Secret Craft | DVD | (08/10/2001) from £12.96   |  Saving you £-1.98 (N/A%)   |  RRP £7.99

  When Reese Hauser and his father relocate to a small Californian town the newcomer soon befriends the coolest kid in the school Zach. Zach introduces Reese to his beautiful but weird sister Ashley and her cute friend Pheobe. They invite Reese to visit an ancient stone which is set in a mystical clearing deep in the woods. The stone empowers the gang with a supernatural ability of their choice. Soon all four marvel in their new found power and turn the school into their own personal hell.

• Sharpe's Honour / Sharpe's Gold | DVD | (10/06/2002) from £5.92   |  Saving you £9.07 (60.50%)   |  RRP £14.99

  Based on the novels by Bernard Cornwell, Sharpe (1993-7) ran to 14 full-length television films that follow the adventures of the titular soldier through the later years of the Napoleonic Wars. The programmes are an outstanding achievement for the small screen, dominated by Sean Bean’s central performance as the heroic, troubled outsider who turns out to be a resourceful and loyal leader. Bolstered by a strong supporting cast, particularly Daragh O'Malley as Harper and (in later episodes) Abigail Cruttenden as Jane, Sharpe is often visually striking, the action tense and gripping. Consistency is maintained by all 14 episodes being directed by Tom Clegg. On the DVD: Sharpe on DVD contains a photo gallery and several screens of background text. The sound is full-bodied stereo while the very "sharp" (pun intended) picture has been transferred slightly letterboxed at 14:9. Though looking much better than the original TV transmissions the occasionally cropped framing makes it apparent the films were shot in 16:9 widescreen, so it is regrettable they have not been transferred to DVD in that format. Otherwise these are first-rate releases.--Gary S Dalkin

• Suck | DVD | (18/10/2010) from £6.99   |  Saving you £11.00 (61.10%)   |  RRP £17.99

  Starring a rock royalty cast including Iggy Pop (Iggy & the Stooges) Alice Cooper Henry Rollins and Moby SUCK is a rock'n'roll vampire comedy-horror about a down and out band The Winners who will do anything for a record deal. Their luck suddenly changes when Jennifer the bass player disappears one night with a Vampire and emerges with a sexually charged charisma that drives the audiences wild. As the band members succumb one by one to blood lust their gimmick launches them into the limelight.

• Repo Men | Blu Ray | (23/08/2010) from £9.01   |  Saving you £10.98 (121.86%)   |  RRP £19.99

  In the futuristic action-thriller Repo Men, humans have extended and improved our lives through highly sophisticated and expensive mechanical organs created by a company called The Union.

• Kiss Me, Stupid | DVD | (07/06/2004) from £18.60   |  Saving you £-5.61 (N/A%)   |  RRP £12.99

  When world-renowned singer Dino (Martin in a hilarious self-parody) passes through Climax Nevada he doesn't count on meeting two would-be songwriters with a plan to trap him there and serenade him with their songs. But then again they weren't counting on Dino's insatiable appetite...for wine and women! And when one of the men learns that his own wife was once president of Dino's fan club he hires a replacement wife (Kim Novak) to help lure the carousing star into a song-buying moo

• Kill Me Three Times | DVD | (04/01/2016) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  In the Australian surfing town of Eagle's Nest, a young woman is the thread that binds three tales of murder, blackmail and revenge.

• Jack Reed - Badge Of Honour | DVD | (23/10/2000) from £4.48   |  Saving you £1.51 (33.71%)   |  RRP £5.99

  When a young mother is murdered Sergeant Jack Reed sets out to find her killer. But the secret world of undercover operations rears its ugly head.

• Three Smart Girls | DVD | (07/03/2011) from £5.98   |  Saving you £7.01 (54.00%)   |  RRP £12.99

  Three sisters set off from Switzerland with their divorced mother to go to New York in order to stop their father marrying a calculating socialite...

• Silent Hill | Blu Ray | (11/02/2022) from £17.90   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  Unable to accept the fact that her daughter is dying, Rose (Radha Mitchell) decides to take the girl to a faith healer. On the way, the pair drive through a portal in reality, leading to an eerie town called Silent Hill. The town is surrounded by a potent darkness, and the human survivors fight a losing battle against it.Path of Darkness: The Making of Silent Hill: Including Silent Hill Origins, Casting, Set Design, Stars and Stunts, Creatures Unleashed, Creature Choreography On Set vintage featurette Around The Film vintage featuretteTheatrical trailer

• Persuasion | Blu Ray | (02/08/2010) from £13.48   |  Saving you £6.51 (48.29%)   |  RRP £19.99

  A new adaptation of one of Jane Austen's most admired novels - the story of a woman who gets a second chance. Anne (Sally Hawkins) fell deeply in love with handsome young naval officer Frederick Wentworth (Rupert Penry-Jones) at the age of nineteen. But with neither fortune nor rank to recommend him Anne's family were against the match and persuaded her to break off the engagement. Eight years later Anne has lived to regret her decision. She never stopped loving Frederick and when he returns from sea having made his fortune and reputation she can only watch as every eligible young woman in the district falls at his feet. Can Frederick forgive Anne for listening to her family instead of her heart?

• Coast - Series Six | DVD | (18/07/2011) from £25.23   |  Saving you £-5.24 (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Coast and Beyond takes the shoreline as its starting point moving inland and outwards to the sea and other continents as it explores and tells the story of life on the outer reaches of this island country we live on. The tales come thick and fast - of geography commerce and the deeply human. Coast's intrepid and inquisitive team of presenters led by Nicholas Crane clamber over cliff tops ride the rough seas and explore the history and evolution of life as it is lived along the Coast and Beyond. Featuring: London to Antwerp Devon and Cornwall The Netherlands The Western Isles and Shetland Wales Border to Border Sweden

• Metropolitan | Blu Ray | (07/05/2018) from £21.39   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  THE WITTY, Oscar-nominated BREAKTHROUGH FROM WHIT STILLMAN One of the great American independent films of the 1990s, the surprise hit Metropolitan by writerdirector WHIT STILLMAN (Damsels in Distress) is a sparkling comedic chronicle of a middleclass young man's romantic misadventures in New York City's debutante society. Stillman's deft, literate dialogue and hilariously highbrow observations earned this first film an Academy Award nomination for best original screenplay. Alongside the wit and sophistication, though, lies a tender tale of adolescent anxiety. Features: Restored highdefinition digital transfer, supervised by director Whit Stillman and cinematographer John Thomas, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack Audio commentary by Stillman, editor Christopher Tellefsen, and actors Chris Eigeman and Taylor Nichols Rare outtakes and alternate casting, with commentary by Stillman

• Prevenge | Blu Ray | (05/06/2017) from £6.60   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  A pitch black, wryly British comedy from the mind of Alice Lowe, Prevenge follows Ruth, a pregnant woman on a killing spree. It's her misanthropic unborn baby dictating Ruth's actions, holding society responsible for the absence of a father. The child speaks to Ruth from the womb, coaching her to lure and ultimately kill her unsuspecting victims. Struggling with her conscience, loneliness, and a strange strain of prepartum madness, Ruth must ultimately choose between redemption and destruction at the moment of motherhood. Having shown at Venice, Toronto and most recently the London International Film Festival, Prevenge marks the directorial debut from Lowe, who is a true triple threat, writing, directing, and acting in the film during her own real-life pregnancy.

• The Gang's All Here | DVD | (26/02/2007) from £3.99   |  Saving you £9.00 (225.56%)   |  RRP £12.99

  Playboy Andy Mason on leave from the army romances showgirl Eadie Allen overnight to such effect that she's starry-eyed when he leaves next morning for active duty in the Pacific. Only trouble is he gave her the assumed name of Casey. Andy's eventual return with a medal is celebrated by his rich father with a benefit show featuring Eadie's show troupe at which she's sure to learn his true identity...and meet Vivian his 'family-arrangement' fiance.