More than half a century after its release in 1950, Sunset Boulevard is still the most pungently unflattering portrait of Hollywood ever committed to celluloid. Billy Wilder, unequalled at combining a literate, sulphurous script with taut direction, hits his target relentlessly. The humour--and the film is rich in this, Wilder's most abundant commodity--is black indeed. Sunset Boulevard is viciously and endlessly clever. William Holden's opportunistic scriptwriter Joe Gillis, whose sellout proves fatal, is from the top drawer of film noir. Gloria Swanson's monstrously deluded Norma Desmond, the benchmark for washed-up divas, transcends parody. And her literal descent down the staircase to madness is one of the all-time great silver-screen moments. Sunset Boulevard isn't without pathos, most notably in Erich von Stroheim's protective butler who wants only to shield his mistress from the stark truths that are massing against her. But its view of human beings at work in a ruthlessly cannibalistic industry is bleak indeed. Nobody, not even Nancy Olson's sparkily ambitious writer Betty Schaefer, is untainted. And neither are we, "those wonderful people out there in the dark". Norma might be ready for her close-up, but it's really Hollywood that's in the frame. No wonder Wilder incurred the charge of treachery from his peers. It's cinematic perfection. On the DVD: Sunset Boulevard lends itself effortlessly to a collector's edition of this quality. The film itself is presented in full-frame aspect ratio from an excellent print and the quality of the mono soundtrack is faultless: the silver screen comes to life in your living room. The extras are superb, including a commentary from film historian Ed Sikov and a making-of documentary which includes the memories of Nancy Olson. Interactive features such as the Hollywood location map add to the fun. --Piers Ford
An orangutan called Dunston checks into a hotel which he proceeds to turn upside down. The manager's son Kyle is determined to help Dunston escape to a new life...
Comedy set in World War Two, starring James Robertson-Justice and Leslie Phillips. Sir Ernest Pease (Robertson-Justice) is a self-important scientist who is sent undercover on a bombing mission to monitor the effectiveness of his latest invention, a new-fangled radar. When the plane is attacked, he parachutes to safety - only to be sent to a POW camp, where he takes on the alias of Lieutenant Farrow. There, the somewhat happy-go-lucky bunch of Brits suspect their acerbic new fellow prisoner of being a spy, and all sorts of culture clashes and misunderstandings ensue.
Set in Queens, New York City, The Transfiguration is an atmospheric drama that focuses on 14-year-old Milo, a troubled outsider who takes refuge in the vampire mythology he studies to the point of obsession. When a chance encounter with equally lonely neighbour Sophie leads him to develop new, romantic feelings, Milo begins struggling to suppress his dark urges - and a terrible secret. The directorial debut from indie filmmaker Michael O'Shea won plaudits at the 69th Cannes Film Festival for its bold and unusual take on the classic coming-of-age tale, with added bite.
Angela Lansbury stars as supersleuth Miss Marple who sets about solving a mysterious death in the archetypal English village of St. Mary Mead. It features an all star cast including Tony Curtis, Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor. EXTRAS: Interview with writer Barry Sandler Interview with Dame Angela Lansbury Interview with producer Richard Goodwin Behind the scenes stills gallery Storyboard gallery
Tim Allen makes an impressive screen debut in Disney's well-written seasonal film The Santa Clause. Divorced toy company executive Scott Calvin is pleased to have his son Charlie for Christmas, though the boy himself isn't happy about it. But when Santa Claus accidentally topples off the roof of the house and falls with a thud in the snow, Scott finds himself taking the merry old elf's place and earning new respect in his son's eyes. When the night ends, the reindeer take them to the North Pole, and Scott discovers that by donning the fabled red suit, he's inadvertently agreed to become the next Santa Claus. The next morning he wakes up in his own bed and thinks it's all a dream--but Charlie remembers it with crystal clarity. Scott now has to deal with his suspicious ex-wife (Wendy Crewson) and her psychiatrist boyfriend (Judge Reinhold), who both think he's playing tricks with Charlie's mind, and also with his own out-of-control body, which is putting on weight and growing a prodigious beard. The Santa Clause probably won't supplant It's a Wonderful Life or Miracle on 34th Street as anyone's favourite Christmas viewing, but it's an enjoyable, straightforward family film, anchored by the affable charisma of Allen. --Bret Fetzer
The scene is set in the Coronation year of 1953 and the archetypal English village of St. Mary Mead. All is as it should be until Hollywood arrives in the form of an internationally famous film cast leading to much local excitement and an epidemic of sudden death to which local sleuth Miss Marple sets her mind...
Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) has been Santa Claus for the past eight years, and his loyal elves consider him the best Santa ever. But Santa's got problems and things quickly go south when he finds out that his son has landed on this year's "naughty" list!
Santa must juggle family responsibility with an attempted coup by Jack Frost in this festive adventure.
Comedy duo Eric and Ernie become involved in the plots and counter-plots of international jewel thieves whilst trying to enjoy a quiet holiday on the Cote d'Azur...
The Bill went from strength to strength in 1988 when it was restructured into the half-hour format that stormed to the top of the ITV ratings and the show remained a Top Ten UK drama for over two decades – becoming the longest- running police procedural drama ever screened on British television. Starring fan favourites Sgt. Cryer (Eric Richard) WPC Ackland (Trudie Goodwin) DS Ted Roach (Tony Scannell) DC Lines (Kevin Lloyd) and the ever irascible DI Burnside (Christopher Ellison) this set contains 48 consecutive episodes – originally screened in 1989.
Jack and Caroline are a couple struggling to make ends meet. When Jack loses his job they agree that he should stay at home and look after the house while Caroline works. It's just that he's never done it before and really doesn't have a clue; as she is climbing the ladder of success at work he puts great effort into becoming hopelessly inept at home!
This box set features the entire first series of the classic British Television drama Inspector Morse. Episodes comprise: 1. The Dead of Jericho: Morse who never quite finds romance thinks that at last things will turn out differently when he meets beautiful Anne Stavely (Gemma Jones). But it is a love destined not to be when Anne is found hanging from a beam in mysterious circumstances. Morse suspects murder and sets out to discover the truth. Joining him is Serg
The Martins are the family from hell, the neighbours you dread and the kind of people you cross the street to avoid. Starring Lee Evans and Kathy Burke.
Sir Ernest Pease KBE FRS (James Robertson Justice) is a cantankerous and crotchety old professor. Testing one of his new radar inventions (and travelling incognito as Lt. Farrow RN) the plane he is travelling is shot down and he is incarcerated as a POW. His overbearing and abrasive manner leads his fellow inmates into believing he is a German spy but when they discover who he actually is they realise that his escape is vital to the war effort. Written by Henry Blyth (The Bul
It was born three days ago. It has killed seven people. It's parents are human beings. Whatever it is It's Alive! The Davies expecting a baby. All is well and good until the baby turns out to be a monster with the nasty habit to kill when it's scared. And it's very easily scared... A trilogy of horror films from schlock auteur Larry Cohen.
Angela Lansbury stars as supersleuth Miss Marple who sets about solving a mysterious death in the archetypal English village of St. Mary Mead. It features an all star cast including Tony Curtis, Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor. EXTRAS: Interview with writer Barry Sandler Interview with Dame Angela Lansbury Interview with producer Richard Goodwin Behind the scenes stills gallery Storyboard gallery
Set in Queens, New York City, The Transfiguration is an atmospheric drama that focuses on 14-year-old Milo, a troubled outsider who takes refuge in the vampire mythology he studies to the point of obsession. When a chance encounter with equally lonely neighbour Sophie leads him to develop new, romantic feelings, Milo begins struggling to suppress his dark urges - and a terrible secret. The directorial debut from indie filmmaker Michael O'Shea won plaudits at the 69th Cannes Film Festival for its bold and unusual take on the classic coming-of-age tale, with added bite.
Tim Allen makes an impressive screen debut in Disney's well-written seasonal film The Santa Clause. Divorced toy company executive Scott Calvin is pleased to have his son Charlie for Christmas, though the boy himself isn't happy about it. But when Santa Claus accidentally topples off the roof of the house and falls with a thud in the snow, Scott finds himself taking the merry old elf's place and earning new respect in his son's eyes. When the night ends, the reindeer take them to the North Pole, and Scott discovers that by donning the fabled red suit, he's inadvertently agreed to become the next Santa Claus. It's an enjoyable, straightforward family film, anchored by the affable charisma of Allen.--Bret Fetzer Considering how lame a sequel it could have been, The Santa Clause 2 makes for a pleasant seasonal diversion. It's got the familiar smell of Disney marketeering, and more than a few parents will object to this further embellishment of the St Nick legend, but Tim Allen's amiable presence provides ample compensation. According to the "Missus Clause" in his North Pole contract, he can't continue to be the real Santa until he gets married. It's all as sweet as spiced eggnog, with that warmed-over feel of a mandated sequel, but the Christmas spirit does prevail with the sound of sleigh bells and Allen's rosy-cheeked "Ho, ho, ho!". --Jeff Shannon
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