JOHNNY ENGLISH STRIKES AGAIN Rowan Atkinson returns as the much-loved accidental secret agent in Johnny English Strikes Again. When a cyber-attack reveals the identity of all active undercover agents in Britain, the country's only hope is called out of retirement. English's new mission is his most critical to date: Dive headfirst into action to find the mastermind hacker. A man with few skills and analogue methods, English must overcome the challenges of modern technologyor his newest mission will become the Secret Service's last. Bonus Features Include: The Comedy Genius of Rowan Atkinson Johnny English Legacy A Cast of Character The Gadgets The Car
The filmed version of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, adapted from the wildly popular book by J.K. Rowling, stunningly brings to life Harry Potter's world of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The greatest strength of the film comes from its faithfulness to the novel, and this new cinematic world is filled with all the details of Rowling's imagination, thanks to exuberant sets, elaborate costumes, clever makeup and visual effects, and a crème de la crème cast, including Maggie Smith, Richard Harris, Alan Rickman, and more. Especially fine is the interplay between Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and his schoolmates Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson), as well as his protector, the looming Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane). The second-half adventure--involving the titular stone--doesn't translate perfectly from page to screen, ultimately because of the film's fidelity to the novel; this is a case of making a movie for the book's fans, as opposed to a transcending film. Writer Steve Kloves and director Chris Columbus keep the spooks in check, making this a true family film, and with its resourceful hero wide-eyed and ready, one can't wait for Harry's return. First sequels are the true test of an enduring movie franchise, and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets passes with flying colors. Harry's second year at Hogwarts involves a darker, more malevolent tale (parents with younger children beware), beginning with the petrified bodies of several Hogwarts students and magical clues leading Harry, Ron, and Hermione to a 50-year-old mystery in the monster-laden Chamber of Secrets. House elves, squealing mandrakes, giant spiders, and venomous serpents populate this loyal adaptation (by director Chris Columbus and screenwriter Steve Kloves), and Kenneth Branagh delightfully tops the supreme supporting cast as the vainglorious charlatan Gilderoy Lockhart. At 161 minutes, the film suffers from lack of depth and uneven pacing, and John Williams's score mostly reprises established themes. The young, fast-growing cast offers ample compensation, however, as does the late Richard Harris in his final screen appearance as Professor Albus Dumbledore. Brimming with cleverness, wonderment, and big-budget splendor, Chamber honours the legacy of J.K. Rowling's novels. Some movie-loving wizards must have cast a magic spell on Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, because it's another grand slam for the Harry Potter franchise. Demonstrating remarkable versatility after the arthouse success of Y Tu Mamá También, director Alfonso Cuarón proves a perfect choice to guide Harry, Hermione, and Ron into treacherous puberty as the now 13-year-old students at Hogwarts face a new and daunting challenge: Sirius Black (Gary Oldman) has escaped from Azkaban prison, and for reasons yet unknown (unless, of course, you've read J.K. Rowling's book, considered by many to be the best in the series), he's after Harry in a bid for revenge. This dark and dangerous mystery drives the action while Harry and his third-year classmates discover the flying hippogriff Buckbeak (a marvelous CGI creature), the benevolent but enigmatic Professor Lupin (David Thewlis), horrifying black-robed Dementors, sneaky Peter Pettigrew (Timothy Spall), and the wonderful advantage of having a Time-Turner just when you need one. The familiar Hogwarts staff returns in fine form (including the delightful Michael Gambon, replacing the late Richard Harris as Dumbledore, and Emma Thompson as the goggle-eyed Sybil Trelawney), and even Julie Christie joins this prestigious production for a brief but welcome cameo. Technically dazzling, fast-paced, and chock-full of Rowling's boundless imagination, The Prisoner of Azkaban is a Potter-movie classic.
Set during the brief hours of light one day in February when the sea has frozen, The Winter Guest is about how four pairs of people at different stages of life attempt to fill the emptiness in their hearts. While that sounds bleak--and the setting in a small town on the East coast of Scotland is certainly stark--there is considerable human warmth in Alan Rickman's directorial debut. Without a conventional story, Rickman simply cuts between four strands, spending most of the time with the difficult relationship between a mother and daughter, played by real-life parent and offspring Phyllida Law and Emma Thomson. Strong dialogue, with a dash of Samuel's Beckett's existential squabbling angst and outstanding performances make this both funny and touching. Meanwhile Thomson's teenage son begins a tentative romance with the new girl in town, two younger boys bunk off school to the icy beach and a pair of elderly ladies attends a funeral. Ultimately the ice-locked sea and Michael Kamen's crystalline piano score become additional characters, the film offering a pseudo-mysticism akin to Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975) while echoing with the spare dramas of Krzysztof Kieslowski; especially Three Colours: White (1994). A beautiful drama that demands attention throughout. --Gary S Dalkin
Stevens is the perfect English butler. Now employed by Mr Lewis, the new American owner of Darlington Hall, Stevens has spent the best part of his working life serving Lord Darlington, the host of many prestigious international conferences in the 1930s. It was only when war broke out in 1939, that Lord Darlington's involvement with the Nazi party was uncovered. Now, twenty years later, Stevens realizes that his unquestioning faith and dedication to duty were misplaced, and cost him dearly in his own personal life. Over several years, he carried on an intense relationship with the Estate's attractive young housekeeper, Miss Kenton. But his unwavering sense of duty led Stevens to deny his emotions and eventually drive away the one woman he loved. Now he wants to make amends...An extraordinary story of blind emotion and repressed love, The Remains Of The Day achieved an astounding 8 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Actress. Anthony Hopkins received the BAFTA Award for the Best Performance by an actor in a leading role.
In Kenneth Branagh's stylish suspense film Branagh stars as Mike Church a Los Angeles detective. Mike is drawn into the life of Grace (Emma Thompson) a woman with amnesia who is plagued by disturbing nightmares. Attempts to help her regain her memory lead them to Franklyn Madson (Derek Jacobi) a mysterious hypnotist who runs an antique shop. Under hypnosis Grace claims that in a previous life she was Margaret Strauss a concert pianist who was murdered by her jealous husband Rom
Judi Dench directs Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson in the Renaissance Theatre Company's highly ac-claimed presentation of John Osborne's landmark play a work which brought in the generation of 'Angry Young Men', revolutionising theatre and having such a profound effect on drama that it is still felt to this day.A story of disparate characters locked into the raw misery of a self-destructive marriage driven towards crisis point, Look Back in Anger features astonishing performances from both its celebrated leads. Branagh's turn as the mercurial central character, a disappointed working-class graduate railing furiously against bourgeois re-spectability, was hailed by Osborne as 'the best Jimmy Porter ever', while Thompson brings enormous sympathy and depth to the role of the long-suffering Alison the seeming embodiment of all that Jimmy abhors.
There are Victorian country-house shenanigans aplenty in Impromptu: novelist George Sand (Judy Davis, affected but pretty charming) has eyes for Franz Liszt's young protégé Chopin (Hugh Grant, solid as always, but burdened by a silly Polish accent and a script that never lets him stretch out), but various lovers, jealous rivals, and Chopin's own overdeveloped sense of propriety conspire to confound her. Impromptu is witty but overlong--probably 20 minutes of hijinks and repartee, not to mention several completely gratuitous and redundant characters, could have been sliced from the film. Davis plays Sand as an impetuous, overgrown tomboy, outraging her genteel hosts by wearing pants, chomping cigars, and falling off horses; her coterie of artist-friends assure us, in a series of naked plot devices, that she nonetheless has a heart of gold. It's all good silly fun, and about as feminist as your average Def Leppard video--the other two developed female characters are ugly stereotypes: a featherbrained, feckless social climber (Emma Thompson, who once again proves she's up for anything) and a spiteful, back-stabbing shrew (the ever-capable Bernadette Peters). Director James Lapine clearly belongs to the Dr Quinn: Medicine Woman school of historical accuracy, so don't expect to learn anything about the period or the artists themselves. --Miles Bethany
One of the most important novels of the 20th Century is brought back to life in this lush period drama.
Nanny McPhee (Dir. Kirk Jones 2005): In this dark and witty fable Thompson portrays a person of unsettling appearance and magical powers who enters the household of the recently widowed Mr. Brown (Firth) and attempts to tame his seven exceedingly ill-behaved children. The children led by the oldest boy Simon (Love Actually's Thomas Sangster) have managed to drive away 17 previous nannies and are certain that they will have no trouble with this one. But as Nanny McPhee takes control they begin to notice that their vile behavior now leads swiftly and magically to rather startling consequences. Peter Pan (Dir. P.J. Hogan 2003): Re-discover the timeless story of Peter Pan as you've never seen it before and be swept off your feet to a Neverland you'd never dreamt possible. Join the boy who wouldn't grow up and Wendy the girl who is told she has to in their adventure against Captain Hook and his pirate crew. Follow Tinker Bell the Lost Boys giant crocodiles and other fantastic creatures to a world where anything is possible and where dreams and imagination have a power all of their own. The Grinch (Dir. Ron Howard 2000): A foul-tempered green and hairy creature who lives on Mount Crumpit the Grinch hates Christmas almost as much as the residents of Whoville the town at the bottom of his mountain. One night he decides to steal Christmas away from the Whos by taking all their decorations presents and Christmassy things. However he soon learns a valuable lesson about the true spirit of the festive season!
Now with NEW 16 page booklet with forward from Richard Curtis Behind the Scenes Photographs Interviews and Quiz! Ten years after its triumphant release the smash hit movie from the makers of 'Notting Hill' and 'Four Weddings and A Funeral' continues to spread joy all around warming people's hearts getting better richer and funnier every time you see it. With its fantastic all-star cast and an outstanding soundtrack it really is the Ultimate Romantic Comedy to enjoy again and again. The hilarious Love Actually explored the ups and downs of relationships in the weeks buidling up to Christmas. Boyfriends& girlfriends husbands & wives fathers & sons and rock stars & managers all combine to make Love Actually not just one story but ten very different ones. Because if you look hard enough you will find love actually is all around. Special Features: New 16 page booklet with forward from Richard Curtis Behind the Scenes Photographs Interviews and Quiz Audio Commentary with Richard Curtis Hugh Grant Bill Nighy and Thomas Sangster Deleted Scenes with introductions by Richard Curtis Music Highlights Christmas Is All Around music video The Storytellers
Love Actually: (Dir. Richard Curtis) (2003): The story of a group of people who find themselves surrounded by love... There's the new Prime Minister who falls for his personal assistant the Prime Minister's sister Karan who realises that her husband is attracted to his secretary. Author Jamie who flees England to escape his unfaithful girlfriend and then falls for his housekeeper. Movie stand-ins John and Judy who become attracted to each other on the film set. Recently widowed Daniel who helps his stepson who is smitten with one of his class-mates and Billy Mack an ageing rock star who discovers that love can be found in the most unlikely of places... About A Boy (Dir. Paul Weitz Chris Weitz) (2002): Growing up has nothing to do with age... Will (Grant) is a 38-year old Londoner living a bachelor lifestyle on the back of royalties earned from a Christmas song penned by his father some years previously. A serial womaniser Will comes up with the idea of attending a single parents group as a new way to pick up women. Inventing a two-year old son for himself he meets lonely bullied schoolboy Marcus (Nicholas Hoult) and his depressed music therapist mother (Toni Collette). The intelligent Marcus soon learns Will's secret and so blackmails him into letting him hang out at his place and watch afternoon telly. However what starts out as an uneasy quiz show watching alliance turns into an unlikely friendship... Notting Hill (Dir. Roger Michell) (1999): A famous actress in disguise (Julia Roberts) in London runs into a divorced bookstore owner (Hugh Grant). They strike up a friendship with each other as they each find something that was previously missing from their own lives...
An ensemble comedy from the makers of "Notting Hill" following a whole host of separate but intertwining stories of love in London.
Atonement: On the hottest day of the summer of 1935 thirteen-year-old Briony Tallis sees her older sister Cecilia (Kiera Knightley) strip off her clothes and plunge into the fountain in the garden of their country house. Watching Cecilia is their housekeeper's son Robbie Turner (James McAvoy) a childhood friend who along with Briony's sister has recently graduated from Cambridge. By the end of that day the lives of all three will have been changed forever. Robbie and Cecilia will have crossed a boundary they had never before dared to approach and will have become victims of the younger girl's scheming imagination and Briony will have committed a dreadful crime the guilt for which will colour her entire life. Sense And Sensibility: The story of two sisters; pragmatic Elinor (Emma Thompson) and passionate wilful Marianne (Kate Winslet). When their father Henry Dashwood dies by law his estate must pass to the eldest son from his first marriage. Suddenly homeless and impoverished his current wife and daughters find themselves living in a simple country cottage. The two sisters are soon accepted into their new society. Marianne becomes swept up in a passionate love affair with the dashing Willoughby (Greg Wise) while Elinor struggles to keep a tight rein on the family purse strings and to keep her feelings for Edward Ferrars (Hugh Grant) whom she left behind hidden from her family. Despite their different personalities they both experience great sorrow in their affairs but they learn to mix sense with sensibility in a society that is obsessed with both financial and social status.
In Men in Black 3, Agents J [Will Smith] and K [Tommy Lee Jones] are back... in time. J has seen some inexplicable things in his 15 years with the Men in Black, but nothing, not even aliens, perplexes him as much as his wry, reticent partner. But when K's life and the fate of the planet are put at stake, Agent J will have to travel back in time to put things right. J discovers that there are secrets to the universe that K never told him secrets that will reveal themselves as he teams up with the young Agent K [Josh Brolin] to save his partner, the agency and the future of humankind. Special Features: Partners In Time: The Making of MIB3 The Evolution of Cool: MIB 1960s Vs. Today Keeping It Surreal: The Visual FX of MIB3 Gag Reel Scene Investigations Progression Reels Music Video Spot The Alien Game
Emma Thompson returns to the role of the magical nanny who appears when she's needed the most and wanted the least in the next chapter of the hilarious and heartwarming fable that has enchanted children around the world.
If it had been written as a piece of fiction no one would have believed it, but In the Name of the Father is the true story of one of the most shocking episodes in British legal history. Dealing with the events surrounding the Guildford pub bombing in 1974 and the subsequent 15-year fight for justice, the film portrays a nation in the grip of an anti-system, desperate to find culprits at any cost, however immoral, illegal or brutal. By playing out the drama in personal as well as political terms--the relationship between Gerry Conlon (Day-Lewis) and his father (Pete Postlethwaite) becomes the story's centrepiece--the film works on numerous levels, but the events are no less shameful for it. The court case that ultimately freed the three men and one woman only takes centre stage for the last 20 minutes but despite that--and the fact that the outcome is no secret--it is high drama and completely gripping. This is an unmissable example of genuinely courageous cinema. On the DVD: Where the real-life events behind the film might have offered huge scope for additional material, the DVD provides little beyond production and cast notes. The film's re-creation of both 1970s Belfast and London is very realistic, intensified by the anamorphic screen ratio, and the excellent soundtrack (including Bono, Sinead O'Connor and Thin Lizzy), which helps drive the action, is intensified by the Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack. --Phil Udell
An ensemble comedy from the makers of "Notting Hill" following a whole host of separate but intertwining stories of love in London.
Nanny McPhee (Dir. Kirk Jones 2005): Emma Thompson whose first screenplay won the 1995 Oscar for Sense and Sensibility returns to screenwriting with Nanny McPhee a motion picture adaptation of the ""Nurse Matilda"" books by Christianna Brand. Thompson the only person to have won Oscars for both acting and writing also plays the title role in Nanny McPhee opposite Colin Firth Kelly Macdonald and - in her first role for the big screen in two decades - Angela Lansbury. In this dark and witty fable Thompson portrays a person of unsettling appearance and magical powers who enters the household of the recently widowed Mr. Brown (Firth) and attempts to tame his seven exceedingly ill-behaved children. The children led by the oldest boy Simon (Love Actually's Thomas Sangster) have managed to drive away 17 previous nannies and are certain that they will have no trouble with this one. But as Nanny McPhee takes control they begin to notice that their vile behavior now leads swiftly and magically to rather startling consequences. Her influence also extends to the family's deeper problems including Mr. Brown's sudden and seemingly inexplicable attempts to find a new wife; an announcement by the domineering Aunt Adelaide (Angela Lansbury) that she intends to take one of the children away; and the sad and secret longings of their scullery maid Evangeline (Kelly Macdonald). As the children's behavior begins to change Nanny McPhee's arresting face and frame appear to change as well creating even more questions about this mysterious stranger whom the children and their father have come to love. Peter Pan (Dir. P.J. Hogan 2003): Re-discover the timeless story of Peter Pan as you've never seen it before and be swept off your feet to a Neverland you'd never dreamt possible. Join the boy who wouldn't grow up and Wendy the girl who is told she has to in their adventure against Captain Hook and his pirate crew. Follow Tinker Bell the Lost Boys giant crocodiles and other fantastic creatures to a world where anything is possible and where dreams and imagination have a power all of their own. The Grinch (Dir. Ron Howard 2000): A foul-tempered green and hairy creature who lives on Mount Crumpit the Grinch hates Christmas almost as much as the residents of Whoville the town at the bottom of his mountain. One night he decides to steal Christmas away from the Whos by taking all their decorations presents and Christmassy things. However he soon learns a valuable lesson about the true spirit of the festive season!
With hairy warts, a stern-looking unibrow and one extremely protruding buck-tooth, Nanny McPhee is a wonderfully comedic substitute for Mary Poppins in this entertaining family fantasy. By loosely adapting Christianna Brand's Nurse Matilda children's books of the 1960s, Oscar-winning screenwriter Emma Thompson (Sense and Sensibility) has also given herself the plum role of Nanny McPhee, who can tame even the most unruly children with a tap of her magic walking stick. Her latest challenge is the bratty brood of a recent widower Mr. Brown (Colin Firth), who's under pressure to find a new wife or lose his much-needed allowance from wealthy Aunt Adelaide (a tailor-made role for Angela Lansbury). His love for scullery maid Evangeline (Kelly Macdonald) remains unspoken as he wincingly woos the eagerly merry widow Mrs. Quickly (Celia Imrie), but Brown's raucous rugrats have a plan to make things right, especially after they've come under the benevolent influence of Nanny McPhee, whose peculiar brand of discipline works wonders for everyone involved. Both quintessentially British and universally appealing, this wildly colourful comedy (thanks to a bold palette of costume and production design) was capably directed by Kirk Jones, whose appreciation for comic actors was equally apparent in his critically acclaimed 1998 comedy Waking Ned. With just a hint of darkness to offset the whimsy, Nanny McPhee offers a splendid match of director, cast and material, guaranteed to please Wallace & Gromit fans and anyone else with a taste for British zaniness.-- Jeff Shannon
Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson star in this beguiling romance as two strangers meet in London and change one another's lives forever
Please wait. Loading...
This site uses cookies.
More details in our privacy policy