"Actor: Angela"

• Cult Action Extravaganza | DVD | (21/04/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £15.99

  The Cult Action Extravaganza three-disc set offers three very different movies that have nothing in common bar residency in Siren's film archive. They are: The Most Dangerous Game (1932), Beneath the 12-Mile Reef (1953) and Get Christie Love! (1974). The Most Dangerous Game is a classic, one of the first talkies to get pictures moving after five very static years following the birth of sound. The plot finds resourceful hero Joel McCrea and heroine Fay Wray being hunted on the island of the insane Zaroff (Leslie Banks). One of the grandfathers of the summer blockbuster, the film's setup has been reworked many times since, notably in John Woo's Hard Target (1993). By modern standards it's technically primitive, though still gripping stuff, complete with the jungle set built as a test run for King Kong (1933) and graced by Max Steiner's prototype of all Hollywood action scores. Beneath the 12-Mile Reef is another landmark or rather watermark. The third-ever CinemaScope production, this was a prestige release with Technicolor location filming at Key West, Florida of never-before-achieved underwater cinematography and four-channel stereo recording of a superlative Bernard Herrmann score. Even a still-impressive underwater battle with an octopus pre-dates the more famous giant squid of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954). The humans aren't bad either, with a young Robert Wagner making a charismatic if ethnically unconvincing Greek lead as sponge fisherman Tony and Terry Moore playing Juliet to his Romeo with real vivacity. Starring Theresa Graves, Get Christie Love! is a tame TV movie imitation of early 1970s female blaxploitation films such Pam Grier's Coffy (1973) and Foxy Brown (1974). Running a standard TVM 73 minutes and with a low budget and content sanitised to US network standards, this is lightweight stuff about an undercover cop determined to smash a drugs ring. Nevertheless the movie was popular enough to spawn a short-lived TV show and is significant for being the first time a black woman took the title role in any American network production. Tarantino completists may be interested, as before he paid homage to Christie Love in the dialogue of Reservoir Dogs (1991). On the DVD: Cult Action Extravaganza presents the films in their original aspect ratio and sound format; The Most Dangerous Game and Get Christie Love! are 4:3, mono. The former is faded b/w with reasonably sturdy sound, though the transfer suffers from compression artefacting. No one would expect great quality from a 1974 TV movie, but Get Christie Love! suffers from both a poor print and a mediocre DVD transfer. Beneath the 12-Mile Reef is presented in the extra wide 2.55:1 of early CinemaScope and though sadly not anamorphic both the seascapes and underwater cinematography are still impressive. The four-channel stereo sound is revelatory, clear, detailed and years ahead of what we have come to expect early 1950s films to sound like. --Gary S Dalkin

• Angela Gheorghiu-Opera Recital | DVD | (06/05/2002) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £15.99

  Angela Gheorghiu live from Convent Gardens includes : Handel (1685-1759) Rinaldo: Lascia ch'io pianga (Act II). Mozart (1756-1791) Le nozze di figaro: Pordi amor (Act II). Massenet (1842-1912) Manon: Allons ! Il le faut pour lui-meme... Adieu notre petite table (Act III). Chapentier (1860-1956) Louise: Depuis le jour (Act III). Puccini (1858-1924) Turandot: Tu Che di gel sei cinta (Act III) Madama Butterfly: Un bel di Verdremo (Act II). Cilea (1866-1950) Lecouvreur: Ecco: respiro appena. Io son I'umile appena.Io son I'umile ancella (Act I). Bellini (1801-1835) Norma: Casta Diva... Ah! bello a me ritorma (Act I). Encores/Zugaben/Bis Puccini Gianna Schicchi: O mia babbino caro. Brediceanu (1877-1988) La Seceris: Cate flori pr deal in sus. Loewe (1901-1988) My Fair Lady: I couls have danced all night (Act I). Angelo Gheorghiu sopran/sopran orchestra of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden.

• Janacek: Katia Kabanova --Salzburg Festival | DVD | (01/07/2002) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £24.99

  With its overt love interest and focus on individual isolation, Katia Kabanova is the first of the four operas that crowned the productive last decade of Leos Janacek (1854-1928). The operatic idioms of Dvorak and Verdi are transmuted through his singular soundworld, whose vocal lines convey subtle speech inflexions and whose orchestral writing has a keen pathos and surging emotional intensity. Christoph Marthaler's production for the 1998 Salzburg Festival updates the provincial Russia of the 1850s to that of the 1990s, a decaying tenement block whose inhabitants live out a futile existence. It neither enhances nor undermines the music, in which Angela Denoke's wan Katia gradually gains in conviction, culminating in a touching "mad scene" and ill-fated reconciliation with her lover Boris. David Kuebler is powerful in this role, while Jane Henschel is characterful but lightweight as Kabanicha (mother-in-law) and Hubert Delamboye sympathetic as Katia's put-upon husband Tichon. Sylvain Cambreling, an experienced opera conductor, directs the Czech Philharmonic skilfully and with flair. On the DVD: Katia Kabanova arrives on disc with a 16:9 aspect ratio that captures the many oblique camera angles and perspective shifts; and sound in LPCM Stereo, Dolby 5.1 and DTS options. Subtitles are in five European languages, and there are 29 access points. There are no special features, apart from the regular TDK trailer, but the booklet has a useful, if generalised synopsis of the opera.--Richard Whitehouse

• At War With The Army | DVD | (25/03/2002) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £3.99

  The Comedy Classic That Shot Martin and Lewis to Stardom. After co-staring as comedy relief in 'My Friend Irma' and 'My Friend Irma Goes West' the legendary team of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis had their first lead roles in this hilarious service farce that sealed their success. You'll see why when the boys wind up as army recruits Sgt. Victor Puccinelli (Martin) and PFC Alvin Korwin (Lewis) in the most disorganized unit into the armed forces and Lorwin tries to get home to see his new baby. Dino sings and romances the girls Jerry serenades Sgt. McVey (Mike Kellin) in drag and both give a dead-on impersonation of Bing Crosby and Barry Fitzgerald from 'Going My Way' in the company's talent show. With director Hal Walker (who also led the boys through their next two films 'That's My Boy' and 'Sailor Beware') firmly in command this 1950 classic helped put them among the biggest boxoffice draws in history. Please note: This is a NTSC disc.

• Silas Marner | DVD | (09/10/2000) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Silas Marner, a member of a strict religious community, is wrongly accused of theft and has no choice but to move to a faraway village. For 15 years he lives alone, hoarding the money he makes from his weaving and gaining a reputation as a recluse, a miser and perhaps even a witch. Marner's life changes dramatically one Christmas season, when his gold is stolen and a mysterious woman dies in the woods outside his cottage. She leaves behind a child that Marner, to the surprise of the other villagers, takes into his home to raise as his daughter. The arrival of the infant, who he names Eppie after his mother, transforms Marner. His bitterness evaporates, he no longer cares about his lost money, and he commits himself completely to his adopted child, who grows up into a loving and beautiful daughter. But Marner's happiness may be threatened when Eppie's real father wants to claim Eppie as his own. Ben Kingsley gives a subtle and moving performance as the simple weaver, and a strong cast gives him ample support in this 1985 BBC adaptation of George Eliot's novel. Silas Marner is not particularly complex--it's certainly a more modest undertaking than Eliot's most famous novel, Middlemarch--but this sentimental Victorian tale, filled with historical detail, potential tragedy, heartless villains and the redeeming power of childhood, makes for a very satisfying film. --Simon Leake, Amazon.com

• Houdini, der König des Varieté | DVD | (09/09/2021) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

• Wolves Of Wall Street | DVD | (10/02/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £5.99

  A film of stockbrokers who have no morals prey on their clients for more money. But what is it that also lurks behind the seemingly successful company image?

• One Way Out | DVD | (26/05/2008) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £5.99

  One Way Out

• Die Walkure | DVD | (01/12/2003) from £25.00   |  Saving you £4.99 (19.96%)   |  RRP £29.99

  A performance of the Richard Wagner opera by the Stuttgart State Orchestra. Conducted by Lothar Zagrosek.

• Waldbuhne 1996 Italian Night | DVD | (05/06/2000) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

• Richard Strauss: Salome (Arthaus: 108037) | Blu Ray | (31/01/2012) from £28.43   |  Saving you £2.82 (10.38%)   |  RRP £29.99

  Live aus dem Festspielhaus Baden-Baden

• Tales Of The Macabre - Love Object / King Of The Ants / May | DVD | (09/05/2005) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £20.99

  Love Object: Kenneth is socially insecure. But when he buys 'Nikki' a silicone sex doll over the internet. Because of his experience with his new toy Kenneth's life takes a turn for the better when he attracts the attention of a real girl Lisa. But when the doll's jealous personality invades his consciousness Kenneth becomes trapped in a perverse triangle torn between the silicone Nikki and the flesh and blood Lisa. King Of The Ants: Sean is a painter with no direct

• Beauty And The Beast / Beauty And The Beast: The Enchanted Christmas | DVD | (18/11/2002) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £29.99

  Own both of Disney's hit Beauty & The Beast films in 1 handy set.

• Mutiny | DVD | (20/09/2010) from £19.45   |  Saving you £-17.46 (N/A%)   |  RRP £1.99

  Captain James Marshall is commissioned to run a British blockade during the War of 1812. With a cargo that contains an unofficial war loan from France it isn't long before the crew are plotting mutiny.

• The Perez Family | DVD | (15/01/2001) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £14.99

  A vivacious Cuban girl looking for freedom in America and a conservative family man returning to his wife after 20 years are mistaken for husband and wife by immigration officers, leading to an accidental love triangle with hilarious consequences. ; ; Set in Miami's Little Havana. Freshly released from a Cuban prison, and finally on his way to Miami to meet up with his wife and daughter, Juan Raul Perez encounters an alluring young prostitute named Dottie Perez. When the US authorities see th.

• Cinderella / Bambi / Mary Poppins / Alice In Wonderland / Dumbo | DVD | (31/10/2005) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £129.99

  This amazing box set features 10 Disney classics for the whole family to enjoy! Cinderella (2 Disc Special Edition) (1950): Cinderella dreams of romance and a better life while serving the selfish needs of her wicked stepmother and two stepsisters. With the help of her mischievous mice friends Gus and Jaq and a little Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo from the magical wand of her Fairy Godmother Cinderella meets the handsome Prince Charming at the Royal Ball. But as she flees the castle before the stroke of midnight breaks the spell Cinderella leaves behind a single glass slipper... Mary Poppins (2 Disc Special Edition) (1964): Julie Andrews stars as the loveable nanny who soars out of the skies and into the hearts of everyone she encounters. Toting a carpetbag full of magical adventures Mary and her fun-loving sidekick Bert deliver endless joy and surprises to a troubled family. Bambi (2 Disc Special Edition) (1942): Bambi a young deer hailed as 'Prince Of The Forest' at his birth is left to fend for himself after his mother is killed by a hunter... Acknowledged for generations as perhaps Disney's greatest animated classic the funny touching and timeless masterpiece that is 'Bambi' was indeed fondly remembered by Walt Disney himself as his favourite animated film. Alice In Wonderland (1951): Lewis Carroll's immortal literary classic comes to life like never before. The surprises begin when a daydreaming Alice encounters a White Rabbit who is frantically running late. She chases him and falls into the magical madcap world of Wonderland with its kaleidoscope of off-the-wall characters. Aristocats (1970): A kind and eccentric millionairess wills her entire estate to her family - a family of adorable high-society cats. Overhearing her plan Edgar the greedy butler catnaps Duchess the elegant soft-spoken mother and her three mischievous kittens and abandons them in the French countryside. The charming Thomas O' Malley a rough-and-tumble alley cat saunters by and offers to escort them home. Dumbo (1941): When a slow stork finally delivers Mrs. Jumbo's pint-sized baby elephant he's the talk of the circus. But with a pair of oversized ears baby Dumbo is laughed at and ridiculed. With remarkable courage and the help of his loyal friend Timothy Mouse Dumbo overcomes all odds in a triumphant celebration of love and determination! Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971): Angela Landsbury gives a bewitching performance as an amateur witch who reluctantly takes in three precocious orphans. The children soon find themselves swept aboard a flying bed it's magic brass bedknob their ticket to on fantastic adventure after another. Hercules (1998): Bestowed with superhuman strength a young mortal named Hercules sets out to prove himself a hero in the eyes of his father the great god Zeus. Along with his friends Pegasus and Phil Hercules is tricked by the hilarious hotheaded villain Hades who's plotting to take over Mount Olympus! Hercules must now choose between his legendary strength and his true love the Grecian beauty Meg. Robin Hood (1973): The legend of Robin Hood one of the most popular stories of all time is brought magically to life in this full length animated Disney classic. The spirit of fun and romance abounds as Robin Hood the swashbuckling hero of Sherwood Forest and his valiant sidekick Little John plot one daring adventure over another. The Sword In The Stone (1963): A sword mysteriously embedded in a massive stone offers this challenge: whoever can pull it from the stone will become the king of England! Many try to remove the sword and fail and for an awkward young squire in training the quest seems ludicrous! However...

• Cardillac - Hindemith | DVD | (09/07/2007) from £21.58   |  Saving you £1.41 (6.10%)   |  RRP £22.99

• Kids Pack - The BFG / Gulliver's Travels / Titanic / A Kid Called Danger / Home Team | DVD | (29/09/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

  The BFG: When little Sophie is taken from her orphanage bed one night it's just the beginning of a thrilling adventure with The Big Friendly Giant. As they catch dreams together in Dream Country and blow them into children's bedrooms trouble appears in the shape of The Bloodbottler and Fleshlumpeater - big bad giants who like to gobble children for breakfast! It's up to Sophie and The BFG to persuade the Queen of England to help them stop the giants and thwart their fiendish plans. Gulliver's Travels: Based on Jonathan Swift's literary classic this was one of the first feature films to combine live action with animation. Titanic (Animated): Southampton - April 1912: The Titanic is ready to sail. Early that morning the first passengers begin to board and stare in amazement at the huge ship. Excited children create mischief while the First Second and Third class passengers line up at their respective gangplanks. But out of sight of human eyes all the animals that populate the Titanic will tell their own story. Geoffrey the cat a family of mice the ducks and squirrels and the two Dalmations belonging to the famous singer Molly Harte. Together they embark on the real adventures on board the Titanic. A Kid Called Danger: 13 year old Dano wants to be a cop like his dad and is ready to plunge head first into the case of a wanted jewel thief... a crime even the police cannot solve. Home Team: A former soccer hero is forced into community service at a children's home. He must train a bunch of no-hopers into winning an almost impossible game.

• Monty Python's The Meaning Of Life | DVD | (15/05/2006) from £97.85   |  Saving you £-87.86 (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

  It took God six days to create the earth and Monty Python just 90 minutes to screw it up. Those six pandemonium-mad Pythons are back with their craziest adventure ever! These naughty lads offer the usual tasteful sketches involving favourite bodily parts and functions the wonders of war the miracle of birth and a special preview of what's waiting for us in Heaven. Nothing is too sacred for the probing Python crew. After seeing them in action you'll never look at life in quite the same way again. It's far-out frank and jolly good fun!

• Disney Classics: Alice In Wonderland, Peter Pan, Beauty And The Beast | DVD | (18/11/2002) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £41.99

  Box Set containing the Disney Classics: 'Alice In Wonderland' 'Peter Pan' and 'Beauty and The Beast'.