"Actor: Fran"

• Hans Werner Henze ; Der Prinz Von Homburg | DVD | (18/10/2002) from £10.53   |  Saving you £15.72 (169.58%)   |  RRP £24.99

  An opera in three acts by one of Germany's most important contemporary composers - Hans Werner Henze. Musical direction comes from Wolfgang Sawallisch.

• Offenbach: La Belle Helene -- Paris/Minkowski | DVD | (03/12/2001) from £11.02   |  Saving you £15.23 (156.05%)   |  RRP £24.99

  Jacques Offenbach's 19th century parody of life under the yoke of Napoleon III, La Belle Hélène, has always seemed as tongue-in-cheek as the material could go. This new staging from the Théâtre Musical de Paris' 2000 season proves you can always go further. As if the social comment and knowing musical allusions (eg: Wagner's Tannhäuser) weren't enough, now via director Lauren Pelly's imagination Helen (Dame Felicity Lott) becomes a modern sexually frustrated woman dreaming the entire scenario. In her dream she is singled out as the most beautiful woman on Earth (prompting vain delusions to rival Snow White's wicked stepmother) as reward for Pâris (Yann Beuron) choosing Venus as most beautiful Goddess off Earth. Act 1 takes place in the bedroom and bed of Helen and ineffectual husband/king Ménélas (Michel Sénéchal). Here the fusion of costumes worn by High Priest Calchas (François Le Roux) seems incongruous until the archaeological dig setting of Act 2 turns everything into a dream. From then on, the analogy of bed as throne, the sheep costumes and male and female swimsuit parade followed by synchronised stage "swimming" of Act 3 all take on greater significance. Les Musicians du Louvre give a tremendous performance under Marc Minkowski's baton (which you often see popping into frame), particularly in the centrepiece duet between Lott and Beuron for their "Dream of Love". Contemporary makeovers of opera often lose sight of the original's intentions, but this update certainly preserves the spirit of Offenbach's vision. On the DVD: A choice of Stereo, Dolby 5.1 or DTS is a testament to the careful staging of this production, as is the video's multi-camera edit. In fact, the 25-minute behind-the-scenes documentary reveals the DVD was conceived as part of the staging. Four interviews make this a most welcome supplement, with Dame Lott having the most to say. --Paul Tonks

• Picking Up The Pieces | DVD | (04/02/2002) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £3.99

• 400 Blows | DVD | (16/12/2002) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Praised by film-makers (Akira Kurosawa called it One of the most beautiful films that I have ever seen) and critics the world over Truffaut's 400 Blows launched the Nouvelle Vague and paved the way for some of cinema's most important and influential directors. Twelve-year-old Antoine Doinel has troubles at home and at school. Ignored and neglected by his parents his relationship with his mother is further strained when he discovers that she has taken a secret lover. Added to this his school teachers have written him off as a troublemaker and with luck seemingly never on his side it is Antoine who ends up getting the blame for bad behaviour. Finding refuge only in his love of cinema Antoine soon finds it necessary to break free and discover what the world can offer outside of the confines of his everyday life. This remarkable film features the extraordinary talent of Jean-Pierre Leaud as the rebellious Antoine a character based on Truffaut himself. Antoine Doinel was to make appearances in a number of Truffaut's films (including 'Stolen Kisses' 'Bed and Board' and 'Love on the Run') all of which chart his further adventures into adulthood.

• Au Hasard Balthazar | DVD | (22/11/2004) from £32.37   |  Saving you £-12.38 (-61.90%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Taking man's inhumanity to man as its central theme 'Au Hasard Balthazar' traces the life of a donkey christened Balthazar by a group of young children from birth to death. Balthazar's story begins on a small farm in a rural district of France. Throughout his life he is owned by many of the locals returning to some of them more than once and is set various tasks from drawing a carriage to performing in a circus turning a grindstone to acting as a smuggler's means of transport.

• Les Egouts Du Paradis | DVD | (24/05/2004) from £26.98   |  Saving you £-6.99 (-35.00%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Albert Spaggiari (Francis Huster) a legendary bank robber assembles a team of assorted experts all with great gangster names such as 68 Mike La Baraka The Egyptian. Together they plan to tunnel up through the sewers and break into the vault of the bank in Nice. Will it work? Will they crack? Will Albert and Charlotte (Lila Kedrova) resolve their differences or will the police catch them all? Director Jose Giovanni himself an ex-convict and a successful crime writer steps u

• The Class | Blu Ray | (23/04/2018) from £15.00   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  WINNER OF THE 2008 PALME D OR AWARD AT THE CANNES FILM FESTIVAL. Synopsis: The greatest lessons are learnt when life enters the classroom. The tense environment of a tough inner-city school where cultures and attitudes often clash is revealed in this award-winning drama based on François Bégaudeau s best-selling novel Between the Walls. Bégaudeau himself stars as an idealistic teacher of a class of unruly 15 year-olds, whose spiky independence present a constant challenge to his sometimes unconventional teaching methods. Featuring an outstanding non-professional cast of real teachers and students, Laurent Cantet s gripping and sharply observed film offers a microcosm of contemporary society and explores the issues and challenges of education today.

• Luis Bunuel Box Set | DVD | (06/09/2004) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £29.99

  Includes the classic Bunuel films Belle De Jour Diary Of A Chambermaid and The Milky Way. Belle De Jour Bunuel's wryly disturbing tale of a virginal bourgeois newlywed prone to erotic flights of fancy who works the day-shift in a Parisian brothel unbeknownst to her patient husband... Diary Of A Chambermaid Luis Bunuel's sharp unrelenting remake of Jean Renoir's 1946 film concerns fascism in 1939 France and how the bourgeoisie are viewed by maid Celestine (Jeanne Moreau) who stirs the desires of her new household and neighbours... The Milky Way Two men making a religious pilgrimage through France form the basis for string of lucid Luis Bunuel 'jokes' parables and surrealistic visions. Heretical funny and haunting...

• Dollhouse | Blu Ray | (11/10/2010) from £32.99   |  Saving you £-3.00 (N/A%)   |  RRP £29.99

  Legendary Joss Whedon, creator of groundbreaking cult favorites "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Firefly", reunites with fellow Buffy alum Eliza Dushku for a thrilling new sci-fi drama "Dollhouse"

• Townes Van Zandt - Be Here To Love Me | DVD | (28/08/2006) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £14.99

  The ultimate songwriter's songwriter Townes Van Zandt had a profound impact on generations of musicians from Bob Dylan to Norah Jones yet he avoided the commercial success enjoyed by many of his own fans. Be Here To Love Me: A Film About Townes Van Zandt provides an intimate portrait of the legendary artist's haunting music and life. Margaret Brown's critically acclaimed documentary Be Here To Love Me combines interviews with friends and family with never seen footage of Townes Van Zandt from rare performance and interview footage to intimate portraits shot in Van Zandt's own home throughout the years. It also includes appearances by many famous musicians including Willie Nelson Lyle Lovett Kris Kristofferson Steve Earle and Emmylou Harris. Tracklist: 1. What A Song Is All About 2. A Cult Figure 3. A Privileged Youth 4. Wild Crazy Things 5. Houston In The '60's 6. Wandering 7. A Genius 8. Addiction 9. Here For The Music 10. Cutting Records 11. Home And Family 12. Flyin' Shoes 13. If I Needed You 14. Pancho & Lefty 15. Marie 16. Normal Life 17. Rake 18. End Credits

• Mortal Kombat | DVD | (21/02/2000) from £9.76   |  Saving you £0.23 (2.30%)   |  RRP £9.99

  In the dark and foreboding realm of the Outworld the world's greatest warriors must survive the supreme battle between ultimate good and absolute evil. Led by sorcerer Shang Tsung the evil Shokan prince Goro has been Kombat champion for nine generations. If he triumphs for a tenth time the portals of Earth will be opened and the desolation and despair that has flourished in the Outworld will reign over the earth for Eternity. Guided by the mighty thunder god Rayden (Christopher Lambert) three humans must delve deep within their souls to discover the power they need to conquer a host of insurmountable games and vanquish their diabolical superhuman enemy. Mortal Kombat is not just a battle to the death it is the final battle for life!

• Pauline And Paulette | DVD | (28/10/2002) from £8.99   |  Saving you £11.00 (122.36%)   |  RRP £19.99

  As a rule, Flemish-language films rarely make much of an international impact, but Pauline & Paulette is a refreshing exception. Director Lieven Debrauwer's debut is an affectionate coming-together of two sisters: the mentally-restricted Pauline, living in a world of flowers and fantasy, and Paulette, her life occupied with lingerie and operetta. The story focuses on the exasperation of Pauline as she is shunted between provincial Belgium and Brussels and the realisation of Paulette, having retired to the coast, that a sister in her life might not be a bad option after all. The interplay between veteran actresses Dora van der Groen and Ann Petersen is minutely observed in detail, with the remaining cast a triumph of ensemble acting, not least Rosemarie Bergmans as the sophisticated "other sister" Cecile and Idwig Stéphane as the pompous Albert. At just 72 minutes, the film is almost too taut for its own good, but if this was Debrauwer's way of avoiding the sentimental, so much the better. Witty and touching in equal measure, this is a film to savour. On the DVD: Pauline & Paulette has a 1.85:1 widescreen picture format that captures the flowers and clothing of Paulette's shop with gorgeous realism. There are subtitles in five languages. The original trailer is included, and there's an insightful running commentary from Debrauwer. --Richard Whitehouse

• Le Bossu | DVD | (26/04/2004) from £35.24   |  Saving you £-15.25 (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

• Comedy Collection 3 - Cadillac Man/The Woman In Red/Grand Canyon | DVD | (09/04/2007) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £12.99

  Cadillac Man (Dir. Roger Donaldson 1990): A fast-paced comedy that shifts hilarity into overdrive! Whether he's pitching himself or the high-priced luxury cars at Turgeon Auto Sales Joey O' Brien (Robin Williams) never let's a day go by without ""doing"" someone good. But Joey's schmoozed through life on cruise control for way too long... and now he's riding in the hot seat! Co- Starring Tim Robbins (The Player) Pamela Reed (Kindergarten Cop) and Fran Drescher (The Nanny) Cadillac Man is a non-stop joy ride of comic lunacy! Joey O'Brien's got some serious troubles. A mafioso wants his hide. The women in his life- an ex- wife a space cadet girlfriend and someone else's wife- are all trying his patience. And to top it off Turgeon Auto's inventory is priced to go- and so is he unless sales pick up. But just when Joey thought it could get no worse... it does! Into the showroom walks Larry (Robbins) a lunkhead terminator with an ax to grind. He's not exactly looking for a new set of whitewalls. He's loaded down with explosives and looking for the man who's been ""doing"" his wife! Now in a life- or- death situation Joey is forced to do the one thing he does best... lie! Woman In Red (Dir. Gene Wilder 1984): Shy quiet Teddy Pierce (Gene Wilder) wanted a little adventure. And one day it walked into his life in a red silk dress. Now his wife is packing a gun. His friends are going nuts trying to cover for him and he's about to get caught with his pants down on the six o'clock news. Be very careful of what you want because you just might get it! Grand Canyon (Dir. Lawrence Kasdan 1991): A captivating story about midlife issues Grand Canyon centres on the comings and goings of six characters and the unexpected miracles that occur in their lives. Affluent lawyer Mack (Kevin Kline) breaks down in the wrong neighbourhood and is threatened by a street gang. When tow-truck driver Simon (Danny Glover) arrives in the nick of time and defuses the situation Mack is so grateful he considers how he could improve Simon's life. Mack is married to Claire (Mary McDonnell) who is saved from 'empty-nest syndrome' by the discovery of an abandoned baby. Mack's best friend Davis (Steve Martin) is a Hollywood producer of action movies but a violent incident makes him consider more carefully his role in promoting a culture of violence. Meanwhile Simon's sister is increasingly worried that her children are being lured into a gang culture. Slowly the lives of these characters become involved with one another awakening new possibilities and a different view of the future...

• Juste Avant La Nuit | DVD | (25/07/2005) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  This Claude Chabrol film is a dark tale of secrets erotica and crime. Successful advertising executive Charles Masson is involved in a hot affair with his best friend's wife Laura. When one of their S&M romps goes bad Charles strangles Laura to death in an apartment that was borrowed. While racing from the scene of the crime he bumps into his friend Francois and drives back to their neighborhood. When someone realises that he'd seen Charles and Laura together in the past he decides not to go to the police with the information. With no clues to the crime police have a hard time finding a suspect. Charles however has an even harder time coping with guilt his children and his loyal wife Helene.

• Love In The Afternoon | DVD | (27/10/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £15.99

  Frederic leads a bourgeois life; he is a partner in a small Paris office and is happily married to Helene a teacher expecting her second child. In the afternoons Frederic daydreams about other women but has no intention of taking any action. One day Chloe who had been a mistress of an old friend begins dropping by his office. They meet as friends irregularly in the afternoons till eventually Chloe decides to seduce Frederic causing him a moral dilemma.

• Mortal Kombat - Quanchi | DVD | (12/04/2005) from £12.75   |  Saving you £-6.76 (N/A%)   |  RRP £5.99

  Shinnok was banished to the Netherealm by Rayden. Upon entering the realm he found himself immediately under attack by its then ruler Lucifer as well as those soulds he was personally responsible for banishing when he was an elder god. Locked and shackled Shinnok was helpless against his attackers. He would exist tortured and tormented by the dregs of hell for thousands of years until he met Quan Chi...

• Mortal Kombat - Kreeya | DVD | (12/04/2005) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £5.99

  Vorpax and the warriors are subjects of Empress Kreeya a woman warrior determined to topple Shao Kahn’s empire. Like Shao Kahn Kreeya has been amassing her universe realm by realm growing stronger with each conquest. Now she has her sights set on Outworld. Three allies meet with Kreeya and hear her plans to bring peace to all realms through the destruction of Shao Kahn.

• The Beautician And The Beast | DVD | (02/02/2004) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £15.99

  A hairdresser (Drescher) is sent to the land of Slovetzia to tutor three children. Thinking that she's been hired as a beautician she has no idea that her boss the widowed autocrat Boris Pochenko (Dalton) thinks she's a science teacher...

• Her Bridal Night | DVD | (21/06/2004) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £3.99

  Brigitte Bardot plays Chouchou a successful model infatuated with Michel the editor of a fashion magazine but Michel seems unaware of her interest in him. The harder Chouchou tries to make herself noticed the less Michel seems to understand until she takes drastic measures by making him chase her through the woods while she wears sheer lingerie which leaves little to the imagination.