"Actor: Drew Pearson"

• Class | DVD | (06/01/2003) from £19.39   |  Saving you £-6.40 (N/A%)   |  RRP £12.99

  As rites-of-passage films featuring a young man's sexual initiation in the arms of a beautiful woman go, Class (1983) has plenty going for it, not least its attractive cast: Andrew McCarthy as Jonathan, Rob Lowe as Gatsby-ish best friend Skip and Jacqueline Bisset as the beautiful woman who is old enough to know better and just happens to be Skip's mother. Lewis John Carlino's film has moments of insight, taking a few well-aimed shots at the vaguely sinister network of American public school life. In the first reel it neatly subverts the bullying scenario that threatens when the geekish Jonathan arrives at the school, while offering the briefly intriguing sight of Lowe in scarlet bra and pants. And there's a subplot of deceit and complicity that both strengthens and threatens the friendship that rapidly forms between Skip and Jonathan. In many ways, though, the most interesting element of the picture--Skip's relationship with his dysfunctional family--is left unexplored. Jonathan's deflowering and subsequent interludes are merely titillating. And Bisset's Ellen, a desperately sad character, becomes superfluous once the revelation that she is the "teacher" sets the boys' friendship on the path to fraternal solidarity. On the DVD: Class is presented in widescreen anamorphic format and looks as good as its leading players, although the Dolby Digital mono soundtrack has odd moments of flatness that detract from the cinematic experience. Extras are limited to the cinema trailer that now looks like a red rag to the puritanical objectors who were appalled by the graphic scenes in which Jonathan loses his virginity to the predatory Ellen. --Piers Ford

• Day The Earth Stood Still (1951) Play Exclusive | DVD | (26/03/2010) from £12.99   |  Saving you £-7.00 (N/A%)   |  RRP £5.99

  From Out Of Space... A Warning And An Ultimatum! A spacecraft lands in Washington D.C. and an alien emerges flanked by a menacing robot with destructive capabilities far beyond anyone's imagination. So begins the science-fiction thriller The Day The Earth Stood Still a classic atomic movie from the 50s that would go on to inspire alien-invasion films for decades to come. Rebuffed in his efforts to meet the world's leaders and warn them of the earth's impending doom the alien Klaatu (Michael Rennie) takes to the streets. Klaatu's plea for peace is embraced by a pretty young woman (Patricia Neal) and an eminent scientist (Sam Jaffe) but the rest of humanity reacts with mistrust fear and violence. With time running out Klaatu is forced to demonstrate his awesome powers in a mind-boggling display teaching all of mankind a lesson for the ages. Watch The Day The Earth Stood Still and and you will never forget these words - Klaatu barada nikto!