Longing for a romantic Hollywood film that will make your heart leap but not have you reaching for the sick bucket? Try Benny & Joon. Few mainstream US films manage to walk the thin line between emotion and schmaltz, but here is one film that pulls it off admirably. In the wrong hands the concept of marrying love and mental illness could have been a disaster but, as with the low-budget British film Some Voices, Benny & Joon manages to extract genuine humour and warmth from the subject. As the brother and sister of the title, the relationship between Aidan Quinn and Mary Stuart Masterson is central to the story, Benny desperately trying to keep home and job together while looking after the sick Joon. Their lives take an unexpected turn with the arrival of Sam, a brilliantly comic turn by Johnny Depp, as gradually the characters learn that the happiness that all thought beyond them is within their grasp. Depp adds yet another character to his liturgy of slightly odd outsiders but plays it with such panache, this time drawing heavily on Buster Keaton, that you cannot help but fall for him. Indeed, there is not a single character here that you would not wish well. On the DVD: The usual scene selection and a very clear audio track, given the film's musical moments a huge boost. Few will probably be able to resist The Proclaimers' "(I'm Gonna Be) 500 Miles" which opens the film. Excellent picture quality too. --Phil Udell
The Chicago Cubs needed a miracle... They got Henry Rowengartner. Twelve-year-old Henry Rowengartner suffers a broken arm whilst showing off at school and is shocked to discover that with the plaster off he can now throw like a professional pitcher!
Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) died fighting the perfect predator. Two hundred years and eight horrific experiments later she's back. A group of scientists have cloned her along with the alien queen inside her hoping to breed the ultimate weapon. But the resurrected Ripley is full of surprises for her creators as are the aliens. And soon a lot more than all hell breaks loose! To combat the creatures Ripley must team up with a band of smugglers including a mechanic named Call (Winona Ryder) who holds more than a few surprises of her own.
Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler and Diane Keaton prove revenge is a dish best served cold. Former college buddies, they reunite at the funeral of a dear friend who took a swan dive onto Fifth Avenue. All three discover they share the same unhappy history of husbands who dove into middle-age by dumping them for trophy wives. Forming a warring triumvirate, they decide to get even, and along the way remind themselves of long-forgotten capabilities. The action gets a little too "wacky" at times, but the gals are great. Portraying an ageing actress, Hawn is sometimes a little too flamboyant, but there is much fun to be had in her flashiness, especially when she pokes fun at Tinseltown and her persona. Instead of her usual brashness, Midler stretches herself and shows us a woman who is not just unhappy, but also deeply sorrowful. Not that she isn't quick with a wisecrack, but her expressive face alone tells the story of her marriage. As the repressed and guilt-ridden spouse of a self-involved ad executive, Keaton finds her anger, and her voice, when her psychiatrist (Marcia Gay Harden) oversteps ethical boundaries. Watching Keaton grow from an ineffectual homemaker into a powerful businessperson reminds us that it has been far too long since she has done a comedy. Director Hugh Wilson smartly chose supporting players who each brought something unique to the film. However, he does not maintain the first hour's effervescent humour throughout the film, as the ending is weakened by a softening of the wives' resolve. --Rochelle O'Gorman
A massively underrated action thriller which kept Schwarzenegger occupied between blockbusters, Commando may be one of the last shoot-out films ever to have real characters in it. Not, of course, that they're anything other than stereotypes, but they're painted with such detailed, positive strokes that it's impossible not to relate to them. Arnie plays a retired military special-ops officer whose daughter (played with an expert balance of cute/feisty by Alyssa Milano) is kidnapped by the baddest of bad guys, who'll only hand her back as and when he's assassinated a tiresome banana-republic president on their behalf. Needless to say, Arnie is deeply annoyed by this, rescues the moppet single-handed amid more bullets and explosions than you can shake a stuntman's pay cheque at, and... well, why spoil the fun by revealing any more? Co-star Rae Dawn Chong gets some nice one-liners as the innocent bystander who gets caught up in the mayhem. The DVD comes with no additional features at all, but who needs 'em anyway? --Roger Thomas
Double bill of historical action adventures set in the Middle Ages. In 'Ironclad' (2011) it's 1215 in England and King John (Paul Giamatti) has reluctantly signed the Magna Carta treaty but quickly reneges on the promises drawn up in the charter and leads an army to the southern coast of England to take down the rebel barons who forced him to sign it. A courageous group of Knights Templar must now face off against King John's army as they place Rochester Castle under siege. Brian Cox Jason Flemyng James Purefoy and Charles Dance co-star. In the sequel 'Ironclad 2 - Battle for Blood' (2014) it's a year later and the Celtic raiders are terrorising England stealing livestock and killing people. When Hubert (Tom Rhys Harries)'s father is murdered he seeks the help of his cousin Guy (Tom Austen) to protect his family's castle and defeat the enemy. Guy who fought in the Great Siege of Rochester Castle is an embittered swordsman who demands payment for his services despite being a member of the family. While they are still amid the preparations for battle however the Celts attack. Who will survive the ensuing violence? The cast also includes Michelle Fairley Roxanne McKee and Danny Webb.
David Lynch's acclaimed tale of murder and amnesia in Los Angeles. Having narrowly survived a murder attempt and a car crash, a shocked and wounded woman (Laura Elena Harring) takes refuge in a nearby apartment. When she is discovered the next morning by the apartment's official resident, aspiring actress Betty Elms (Naomi Watts), she confesses that she neither knows who she is nor what happened to her. The two women then begin to investigate, and it gradually becomes clear that they have kno...
The debut film of director Joel Coen and his brother-producer Ethan Coen, 1983's Blood Simple is grisly comic noir that marries the feverish toughness of pulp thrillers with the ghoulishness of even pulpier horror. (Imagine the novels of Jim Thompson somehow fused with the comic tabloid Weird Tales and you get the idea.) The story concerns a Texas bar owner (Dan Hedaya) who hires a seedy private detective (M Emmett Walsh) to follow his cheating wife (Frances McDormand in her first film appearance) and then kill her and her lover (John Getz). The gumshoe turns the tables on his client and suddenly a bad situation gets much, much worse, with some violent goings-on that are as elemental as they are shocking. (A scene in which a character who has been buried alive suddenly emerges from his own grave instantly becomes an archetypal nightmare.) Shot by Barry Sonnenfeld before he became an A-list director in Hollywood, Blood Simple established the hyperreal look and feel of the Coens' productions (undoubtedly inspired a bit by filmmaker Sam Raimi, whose The Evil Dead had just been coedited by Joel). Sections of the film have proved to be an endurance test for art-house movie fans, particularly an extended climax that involves one shock after another but ends with a laugh at the absurdity of criminal ambition. This is definitely one of the triumphs of the 1980s and the American independent film scene in general. --Tom Keogh, Amazon.com
Titles Comprise: Predator:In a place without rules - the hunter has become the hunted. Deep inside the jungles of Latin America Schwarzenegger's team of elite commandos are being slaughtered by a mysterious predator. No longer are they hunters - they are the prey... of an alien whose only instinct is to kill. One by one it strikes with inhuman ferocity. Now to survive with the jungle as their only ally they face their greatest challenge: to stay alive. Commando:In this early action classic that features his unique blend of thrills and offbeat humor Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as retired Colonel John Matrix. The ex-head of a special commando strike team he's forced back into action when his daughter (Milano) is kidnapped. With the help of a feisty stewardess (Chong) Matrix has only a few hours to overcome his greatest challenge: finding his daughter before she gets killed... Terminator:In 2029 giant super-computers dominate the planet hell-bent on exterminating the human race! And to destroy man's future by changing the past they send an indestructible cyborg - a Terminator - back in time to kill Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) the woman whose unborn son will become mankind's only hope. Can Sarah protect herself from this unstoppable menace to save the life of her unborn child? Or will the human race be extinguished by one mean hunk of mutant metal? Conan The Barbarian:Cimmeran Conan is captured as a child after his parents' savage murder by raiding Vanir led by Thulsa Doom head also of the snake-cult of Set. Fifteen years of agony first chained to the Wheel Of Pain grinding grain and then enslaved as a pit fighter forge a magnificent body and indominitable spirit. Freed miraculously one day by his owner Conan with his companions Subotai the Mongol and Valeria the Queen of Thieves sets forth upon his quest to learn ""the riddle of steel"" which his father has prophesied will confer ultimate power; and to kill the arch-villian Thulsa Doom...
The debut film of director Joel Coen and his brother-producer Ethan Coen, 1983's Blood Simple is grisly comic noir that marries the feverish toughness of pulp thrillers with the ghoulishness of even pulpier horror. (Imagine the novels of Jim Thompson somehow fused with the comic tabloid Weird Tales and you get the idea.) The story concerns a Texas bar owner (Dan Hedaya) who hires a seedy private detective (M Emmett Walsh) to follow his cheating wife (Frances McDormand in her first film appearance) and then kill her and her lover (John Getz). The gumshoe turns the tables on his client, and suddenly a bad situation gets much, much worse, with some violent goings-on that are as elemental as they are shocking. (A scene in which a character who has been buried alive suddenly emerges from his own grave instantly becomes an archetypal nightmare.) Shot by Barry Sonnenfeld before he became an A-list director in Hollywood, Blood Simple established the hyperreal look and feel of the Coens' productions (undoubtedly inspired a bit by filmmaker Sam Raimi, whose The Evil Dead had just been coedited by Joel). Sections of the film have proved to be an endurance test for art-house movie fans, particularly an extended climax that involves one shock after another but ends with a laugh at the absurdity of criminal ambition. This is definitely one of the triumphs of the 1980s and the American independent film scene in general. --Tom Keogh
A high school senior with a promising swimming career has a one-night stand...with sinister consequences.
Suzanne Stone (Kidman) has always dreamed of being on TV - and she's dead-set on making that dream come true. But there is just one obstacle: Larry Maretto her husband (Dillon). So Suzanne convinces a love-struck teenager (Phoenix) to get Larry out of the way - for good. To Die For is the most critically acclaimed comedy of the year and Nicole Kidman struts her stuff with enough come-on carnality to singe the screen! (Peter Travers Rolling Stone)
In this early action classic that features his unique blend of thrills and offbeat humor Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as retired Colonel John Matrix. The ex-head of a special commando strike team he's forced back into action when his daughter (Milano) is kidnapped. With the help of a feisty stewardess (Chong) Matrix has only a few hours to overcome his greatest challenge: finding his daughter before she gets killed... Please note: some edits regarding violence and profanity have been made to this DVD print by the studio (20th Century Fox) which were not required by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC).
Stunning new 4K restoration of David Lynch's iconic surrealist mystery-drama. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, MULHOLLAND DRIVE is considered by many as one of the greatest films of the 21st century. Los Angeles, city of angels. Amnesiac and wounded, a mysterious femme fatale wanders on the sinuous road of Mulholland Drive. She finds shelter at Betty's house (Naomi Watts), an aspiring actress just arrived from her hometown and in search of stardom in Hollywood. Initially intrigued by the stranger who calls herself Rita (Laura Elena Harring), Betty discovers that her handbag is full of dollar bundles. The two women get to know each other better and decide to investigate in order to discover Rita's true identity... This slick, sinister, psycho-sexual thriller comes from the darkest recesses of Hollywood, a Los Angeles of strange dreams, unrequited love and a jealous burning rage. Extras: This 20th Anniversary Collector's Edition includes 4K restoration (approved by David Lynch) on UHD and Blu-ray in inner digipack, 2 posters and set of 5 artcards, booklet including essays from Anna Smith and David Jenkins packaged in an outer clamshell box featuring all new artwork. Special Features Back to Mulholland Drive On the Road to Mulholland Drive Interview with Laura Harring Interview with Mary Sweeney Interview with Angelo Badalamenti Introduction by Thierry Jousse In the Blue Box
Oscar winners Robert De Niro Robert Duvall play brothers the Reverend Desmond Spellacy and Tommy Spellacy who are drawn together after many years apart in this tale of murder and sibling rivalry...
A prepubescent chess prodigy under pressure from his sports reporter father (Mantegna) and also his mentor (Kingsley) refuses to harden himself in order to become a champion like the famous but unfathomable Bobby Fischer...
Her life is no fairy tale. Vanessa (the excellent Reese Witherspoon) is a streetwise 16-year-old a kid with attitude who's never been far from trouble. When her parents are hauled off to jail the authorities have no option but to lock her up too but Vanessa has other plans and armed with a handgun hits the road. Forced to take a lift from a charming stranger (Kiefer Sutherland) who claims he's a child psychologist it's not long before Vanessa opens up and begins to share the secrets of her troubled past. The pair get on fine until Vanessa realises that she's hitched a ride with the notorious 'I-10 Killer'...
Limited Collector's Edition Blu-ray and DVD boxset, including Production Notes Booklet, Poster, Artcards, Movie Quote Card Game, Cher's Report Card. Smart, Sparkly And Never Out Of Style! After 25 years, Clueless remains a smart, charming, and hilarious classic that truly captures what it was like to be a teen in the 1990s. Alicia Silverstone shines as the 15-year-old Beverly Hills High School student who thrives on shopping, enjoys the perfect social life, and plays matchmaker to all her friends just don't ask her who she's dating, AS IF! Directed by Amy Heckerling, the movie also stars Paul Rudd, Brittany Murphy, Donald Faison, Stacey Dash, and Wallace Shawn. Special Features Clue or False Trivia Game The Class of '95 - A look at the cast, then and now Creative Writing with Writer/Director Amy Heckerling Fashion 101 Language Arts Suck N Blow - A Tutorial Driver's Ed We're History - Stories from the cast and crew Trailers HD
A collection of films from acclaimed Oscar-winning siblings Joel and Ethan Coen. The Big Lebowski: The Dude Jeff Lebowski (Jeff Bridges) is unemployed and laid-back. That is until he becomes a victim of mistaken identity two thugs breaking into his apartment in the errant belief that they are accosting Jeff Lebowski the Pasadena millionaire. In hope of getting a replacement for soiled carpet the Dude visits his wealthy namesake and with buddy ex `Nam' veteran Walter (Joh
This moody 1986 buddy picture and police drama represented a change of pace for both stars. Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines play two Chicago police detectives who, feeling gun-shy about the inherent danger of their jobs, contemplate retirement in Florida. They just can't shake the allure of their work, however, particularly when their pursuit of a notorious drug dealer (Jimmy Smits) turns personal and deadly. While there are more than enough light moments in Running Scared, generated by the easy and convincing rapport between Crystal and Hines, director Peter Hyams (The Star Chamber, 2010) succeeds in straddling the two disparate moods to create a taut and engaging action picture. --Robert Lane
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