"Actor: Ian Russell"

• Planet of the Apes Triple | Blu Ray | (27/11/2017) from £17.99   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  Billed as a "re-imagining" of the original film, Tim Burton's extraordinary Planet of the Apes constantly borders on greatness, adhering to the spirit of Pierre Boulle's original novel while exploring fresh and inventive ideas and paying honourable tribute to the '68 sci-fi classic. Burton's gifts for eccentric inspiration and visual ingenuity make this a movie that's as entertaining as it is provocative, beginning with Rick Baker's best-ever ape make-up (hand that man an Oscar®!), and continuing through the surprisingly nuanced performances and breathtaking production design. Add to all this an intelligent screenplay that turns Boulle's speculative reversal--the dominance of apes over humans--into a provocative study of civil rights and civil war. The film finally goes too far with a woefully misguided ending that pays weak homage to the original, but everything preceding that misfire is astonishingly right. While attempting the space-pod retrieval of a chimpanzee test pilot, Major Leo Davidson (Mark Wahlberg) enters a magnetic storm that propels him into the distant future, where he crash-lands on the ape-ruled planet. Among the primitively civilized apes, treatment of enslaved humans is a divisive issue: senator's daughter Ari (Helena Bonham Carter) advocates equality while the ruthless General Thade (Tim Roth) promotes extermination. While Davidson ignites a human rebellion, this conflict is explored with admirable depth and emotion, and sharp dialogue allows Burton's exceptional cast to bring remarkable expressiveness to their embattled ape characters, most notably in the comic relief of orangutan slave trader Limbo (played to perfection by Paul Giamatti). Classic lines from the original film are cleverly reversed (including an unbilled cameo for Charlton Heston, in ape regalia as Thade's dying father), and while this tale of interspecies warfare leads to an ironic conclusion that's not altogether satisfying, it still bears the ripe fruit of a timeless what-if idea. --Jeff Shannon

• Planet of the Apes Triple | DVD | (27/11/2017) from £6.99   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  Billed as a "re-imagining" of the original film, Tim Burton's extraordinary Planet of the Apes constantly borders on greatness, adhering to the spirit of Pierre Boulle's original novel while exploring fresh and inventive ideas and paying honourable tribute to the '68 sci-fi classic. Burton's gifts for eccentric inspiration and visual ingenuity make this a movie that's as entertaining as it is provocative, beginning with Rick Baker's best-ever ape make-up (hand that man an Oscar®!), and continuing through the surprisingly nuanced performances and breathtaking production design. Add to all this an intelligent screenplay that turns Boulle's speculative reversal--the dominance of apes over humans--into a provocative study of civil rights and civil war. The film finally goes too far with a woefully misguided ending that pays weak homage to the original, but everything preceding that misfire is astonishingly right. While attempting the space-pod retrieval of a chimpanzee test pilot, Major Leo Davidson (Mark Wahlberg) enters a magnetic storm that propels him into the distant future, where he crash-lands on the ape-ruled planet. Among the primitively civilized apes, treatment of enslaved humans is a divisive issue: senator's daughter Ari (Helena Bonham Carter) advocates equality while the ruthless General Thade (Tim Roth) promotes extermination. While Davidson ignites a human rebellion, this conflict is explored with admirable depth and emotion, and sharp dialogue allows Burton's exceptional cast to bring remarkable expressiveness to their embattled ape characters, most notably in the comic relief of orangutan slave trader Limbo (played to perfection by Paul Giamatti). Classic lines from the original film are cleverly reversed (including an unbilled cameo for Charlton Heston, in ape regalia as Thade's dying father), and while this tale of interspecies warfare leads to an ironic conclusion that's not altogether satisfying, it still bears the ripe fruit of a timeless what-if idea. --Jeff Shannon

• Game of Thrones: Season 3 | Blu Ray | (12/04/2021) from £17.99   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  Cruel fates are met. The Lannisters barely hold on to the throne after a savage naval onslaught from Stannis Baratheon, while stirrings in the North threaten the balance of power. Robb Stark, King in the North, faces calamity as he attempts to build on his victories over the Lannisters. Beyond the Wall, Mance Rayder and his army of wildlings continue to march south. Across the Narrow Sea, Daenerys with her three fast-maturing dragons attempts to raise an army to sail with her, in hopes of claiming the Iron Throne. The families of Westeros continue to clash as bonds are strained and loyalties are tested. Special Features Includes over an hour of bonus features

• Pocahontas | Blu Ray | (21/05/2012) from £3.98   |  Saving you £4.01 (100.75%)   |  RRP £7.99

  True to the spirit of a great Disney classic, this extraordinary film bursts with music and adventure from Just Around the Riverbend, and now, for the first time, witness it all in high definition on Blu-ray.Along the edgewaters of Virginia, Pocahontas, the free-spirited daughter of Chief Powhatan, watches as a mysterious shipload of English settlers arrives, led by the greedy Governor Ratcliffe and the courageous Captain John Smith. Along with her playful pals, Meeko, a mischievous raccoon, and feisty hummingbird, Flit, Pocahontas develops a strong friendship with Captain Smith. But when tensions mount between their two very different cultures, Pocahontas seeks the lively wisdom of Grandmother Willow to help her find a way for everyone to live together in peace.Winner of two Academy Awards (1995) for Best Song ('Colours Of The Wind) and Best Musical Score, Pocahontas surrounds you with the riches of another glowing winner in Disney's animated hit parade!

• Man of Steel | DVD | (02/12/2013) from £2.80   |  Saving you £17.19 (613.93%)   |  RRP £19.99

  From Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures comes Man of Steel starring Henry Cavill (Immortals TV's The Tudors) in the role of Clark Kent/Superman under the direction of Zack Snyder (300 Watchmen). A young boy learns that he has extraordinary powers and is not of this Earth. As a young man he journeys to discover where he came from and what he was sent here to do. But the hero in him must emerge if he is to save the world from annihilation and become the symbol of hope for all mankind. The film also stars four-time Oscar nominee Amy Adams (The Master) as Daily Planet journalist Lois Lane and Oscar nominee Laurence Fishburne (What's Love Got to Do with It) as her editor-in-chief Perry White. Starring as Clark Kent's adoptive parents Martha and Jonathan Kent are Oscar nominee Diane Lane (Unfaithful) and Academy Award& winner Kevin Costner (Dances with Wolves). Squaring off against the superhero are two other surviving Kryptonians the villainous General Zod played by Oscar nominee Michael Shannon (Revolutionary Road) and Faora Zod's evil partner played by Antje Traue (upcoming The Seventh Son). Also from Superman's native Krypton are Lara Lor-Van Superman's mother played by Ayelet Zurer (Angels and Demons) and Superman's father Jor-El portrayed by Academy Award winner Russell Crowe (Gladiator). Rounding out the cast are Christopher Meloni (42) as U.S. military man Colonel Hardy Harry Lennix (State of Play) as General Swanwick Michael Kelly (The Adjustment Bureau) as Steve Lombard and Richard Schiff (TV's The West Wing) as Dr. Emil Hamilton. Man of Steel is being produced by Charles Roven Christopher Nolan Emma Thomas and Deborah Snyder. The screenplay was written by David S. Goyer from a story by Goyer and Nolan based upon Superman characters created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster and published by DC Entertainment. Thomas Tull Lloyd Phillips and Jon Peters are serving as executive producers. Special Features: Pacific Rim International English Trailer Pacific Rim International Spanish Trailer Ultraviolet Trailer Blu-ray Brand Trailer Blu-ray Brand Trailer Castilian Spanish Krypton Decoded-Dylan Sprayberry New Zealand: Home of Middle Earth Superman 75th Anniversary Animated Short

• Man of Steel | Blu Ray | (17/04/2019) from £9.75   |  Saving you £17.24 (176.82%)   |  RRP £26.99

  From Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures comes Man of Steel starring Henry Cavill (Immortals TV's The Tudors) in the role of Clark Kent/Superman under the direction of Zack Snyder (300 Watchmen). A young boy learns that he has extraordinary powers and is not of this Earth. As a young man he journeys to discover where he came from and what he was sent here to do. But the hero in him must emerge if he is to save the world from annihilation and become the symbol of hope for all mankind. The film also stars four-time Oscar nominee Amy Adams (The Master) as Daily Planet journalist Lois Lane and Oscar nominee Laurence Fishburne (What's Love Got to Do with It) as her editor-in-chief Perry White. Starring as Clark Kent's adoptive parents Martha and Jonathan Kent are Oscar nominee Diane Lane (Unfaithful) and Academy Award& winner Kevin Costner (Dances with Wolves). Squaring off against the superhero are two other surviving Kryptonians the villainous General Zod played by Oscar nominee Michael Shannon (Revolutionary Road) and Faora Zod's evil partner played by Antje Traue (upcoming The Seventh Son). Also from Superman's native Krypton are Lara Lor-Van Superman's mother played by Ayelet Zurer (Angels and Demons) and Superman's father Jor-El portrayed by Academy Award winner Russell Crowe (Gladiator). Rounding out the cast are Christopher Meloni (42) as U.S. military man Colonel Hardy Harry Lennix (State of Play) as General Swanwick Michael Kelly (The Adjustment Bureau) as Steve Lombard and Richard Schiff (TV's The West Wing) as Dr. Emil Hamilton. Man of Steel is being produced by Charles Roven Christopher Nolan Emma Thomas and Deborah Snyder. The screenplay was written by David S. Goyer from a story by Goyer and Nolan based upon Superman characters created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster and published by DC Entertainment. Thomas Tull Lloyd Phillips and Jon Peters are serving as executive producers. Special Features: Pacific Rim International English Trailer Pacific Rim International Spanish Trailer Pacific Rim International Italian Trailer Strong Characters Legendary Roles All Out Action Krypton Decoded-Dylan Sprayberry New Zealand: Home of Middle Earth Superman 75th Anniversary Animated Short

• Witchfinder General | DVD | (01/09/2003) from £7.94   |  Saving you £-1.95 (N/A%)   |  RRP £5.99

  Witchfinder General is one of those cult British films that, like The Wicker Man, seemed to herald a renaissance in the fortunes of the British film industry in the late 1960s and early 70s. With only his third film, director Michael Reeves displayed an assured grasp of technique and a confident ability to mix and match genres that marked him out as a homegrown wunderkind to rival the Spielbergs and Coppolas who were just graduating from film school across the Atlantic. Sadly, this promise remained unfulfilled as Reeves died suddenly, soon after completing the film, from a lethal cocktail of prescription drugs; Witchfinder General remains his only significant work Veteran Vincent Price is wonderfully cast as the titular witchfinder, Matthew Hopkins, whose bloody and usually sexually motivated persecutions across civil war-torn East Anglia are carried out with much relish, graphic fake blood and lots of screaming. Ian Ogilvy, an old school pal of the director's, is the upright new model soldier who swears vengeance against Hopkins for the rape of his betrothed (Hilary Dwyer, who in true Hammer Horror fashion gets to take her top off and scream a lot). Lascivious depictions of burning witches and gratuitous sex aside, what draws the viewer into the film is the setting as Reeves' camera roams lovingly across the East Anglian countryside. The opening-hanging scene, for example, depends strongly on location for its effect, and Ogilvy's quest for revenge takes on a John Ford-style Western aura in the director's hands. Perhaps not quite the masterpiece some seem to think it is, Witchfinder General remains a sturdy piece of distinctively British filmmaking. On the DVD: This disc allows the viewer to select the slightly extended "Export cut" of the movie, which has a little more graphic blood than the censored UK release, although the restored sequences are of markedly inferior quality. The anamorphic picture and mono sound are decent, even if too many murky nighttime scenes and badly dubbed actors' voices betray the film's restrictively low budget. The major extra is a documentary about the life and short career of Michael Reeves, while other fill-ups include text notes from critic Kim Newman, a music video, trailer, filmographies and stills. All in all, it's a welcome restoration of a genre classic. --Mark Walker

• The Good Liar | DVD | (16/03/2020) from £6.99   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  Career con man Roy (Ian McKellen) sets his sights on his latest mark: recently widowed Betty (Helen Mirren), worth millions. And he means to take it all. But as the two draw closer, what should have been another simple swindle takes on the ultimate stakes. Legendary actors Mirren and McKellen star together on screen for the first time in this suspenseful drama about the secrets people keep and the lies they live.

• Blake's 7 - Series 1 | DVD | (01/03/2004) from £17.03   |  Saving you £32.96 (193.54%)   |  RRP £49.99

  Blake's 7 was the hit BBC space opera launched in the wake of Star Wars, though with a grittier sensibility and produced on a fraction of the budget. Over 13 episodes the first series introduced freedom-fighter Blake (Gareth Thomas) as he escaped from the Orwellian Federation, gathered a crew of low-life rebels, salvaged an alien starship called the Liberator, and began striking back against the forces of Supreme Commander Servalan (sultry Jacqueline Pearce). The effects were cheap, and alien planets were represented by a disused quarry or an industrial complex, but the strong characters and cynical storylines created by Doctor Who veteran Terry Nation remain involving. The perfect foil for Blake was Paul Darrow's Avon, a near psychopathic criminal mastermind who only fought to save his skin. The cowardly Vila (Michael Keating) was almost as memorable, while the female leads were Jenna (Sally Knyvette), a smuggler and pilot, and determined Auron telepath Cally (Jan Chappell). Also on board was Gan (David Jackson), inhibited from violence by a brain implant. With even the good guys being criminals, including murderers, this was a galaxy far, far away from previous screen space opera. Though undeniably dated, the show is still vintage TV SF, right from the opening three-parter "The Way Back / Spacefall / Cygnus Alpha" to the cliff-hanging shocker "Orac", which introduces the final member of the un-magnificent seven. On the DVD: Blake's 7, Series 1 presents the 13 episodes across five DVDs so as to maximise picture quality. Following the BBC's Doctor Who DVDs the 4:3 images are as strong as one could expect from a 1970s TV show shot partly on video (interiors) and 16 mm film (exteriors). Film shots have some grain and vary considerably in quality while the video material shows occasional minor tearing and flaws in the tape. Otherwise these are as good as Blake's 7 is ever going to look. The same is true of the mono sound, which is clear and undistorted. Each DVD is introduced with a CGI reincarnation of the series' famous logo and three episodes are offered with a commentary. These are "Spacefall" (Sally Knyvette, Michael Keating and producer David Maloney), "Seek-Locate-Destroy" (Keating, Jacqueline Pearce and Stephen Greif) and "Project Avalon" (Knyvette, Pearce and Greif). The chat ranges from high-school reunion playfulness, including singing the title music, to some more serious insights into making the show, to an amusing running debate as to whether Glynis Barber appears in "Project Avalon". Other extras are "2 out takes, a missing scene, 1 robot, 2 flat feet and a blooper". These are exactly what they say: an extract from Blue Peter in 1978 with Lesley Judd making a Blake's 7 bracelet; nine clip compilations introducing the main characters; a synopsis for each episode; and a trailer for the Series 2 DVDs. --Gary S Dalkin

• A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong | DVD | (29/03/2021) from £8.99   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  Blacklisted by the BBC after ruining Peter Pan, the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society do not take their ban lying down and force themselves back on the TV by hijacking the jewel of the Christmas schedule, a live production of A Christmas Carol, staged by a professional cast that includes the legendary Sir Derek Jacobi. With a little help from Sandra's aunt, Dame Diana Rigg, the Cornley gang try to make the show work on television, but they soon realise they are completely out of their depth, with no idea how to direct a live studio or handle the special effects. Worse still, their internal rivalries are revealed on television, while an angry professional cast tries to get back into the studio.

• Barbie As Rapunzel | DVD | (06/09/2010) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

  Barbie as Rapunzel is an 80-minute video that will thrill children aged three to eight, following on from the success of Barbie in the Nutcracker. Barbie may have started life as a doll in the 1950s, but these days she's also making her name as a computer-animated film star. In a modern twist on the classic fairy tale, Barbie stars as Rapunzel--a courageous and imaginative princess who is locked away in a tower by the evil witch Gothel. With help from her friends (Penelope the cute purple dragon and Hobie the rabbit) and through the power of her own creative energies, she paints her way out of the tower to find freedom, truth and love. The video is visually impressive with dark and light colours used effectively to emphasise good and evil, allowing Barbie to be surrounded by her favourite soft pinks and purples. The well-known actress Angelica Huston is memorable as the vocal talent behind the unbalanced and scary Gothel. Excellent sound effects greatly enhance the film and Dvorak's New World Symphony played by the London Symphony Orchestra makes a pleasant change from films' current dependence on pop hits. Hugo the mighty dragon, Otto the nasty ferret and the sword fight between the feuding kings will hold the attention of those brothers of Barbie fans who are less than enthusiastic about watching this film, but essentially this is a little girl's film and the outrageously pink castle, the magical fashion show before the masked ball and the fairytale wedding will make it a firm favourite for its intended audience. --Tracey Hogan.

• The 13th Warrior | DVD | (28/02/2000) from £8.25   |  Saving you £7.74 (93.82%)   |  RRP £15.99

  Based on Michael Crichton's best-selling novel

• The Wicker Man | Blu Ray | (27/02/2017) from £14.98   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  It must be stressed that despite the fact that it was produced in 1973 and stars both Christopher Lee and Britt Ekland, The Wicker Man is not a Hammer Horror film. There is no blood, very little gore and the titular Wicker Man is not a monster made out of sticks that runs around killing people by weaving them into raffia work. Edward Woodward plays Sergeant Howie, a virginal, Christian policeman sent from the Scottish mainland to investigate the disappearance of young girl on the remote island of Summer Isle. The intelligent script by Anthony Schaffer, who also wrote the detective mystery Sleuth (a film with which The Wicker Man shares many traits), derives its horror from the increasing isolation, confusion and humiliation experienced by the naïve Howie as he encounters the island community's hostility and sexual pagan rituals, manifested most immediately in the enthusiastic advances of local landlord's daughter Willow (Britt Ekland). Howie's intriguing search, made all the more authentic by the film's atmospheric locations and folkish soundtrack, gradually takes us deeper and deeper into the bizarre pagan community living under the guidance of the charming Laird of Summer Isle (Lee, minus fangs) as the film builds to a terrifying climax with a twist to rival that of The Sixth Sense or Fight Club. --Paul Philpott

• American Pie Presents Band Camp | DVD | (17/04/2019) from £4.95   |  Saving you £9.30 (252.03%)   |  RRP £12.99

  Get ready for another hilarious slice of American Pie. In American Pie Presents: Band Camp. Stifler's younger brother Matt is sentenced to a summer at the infamous band camp where he creates even more mischief with hidden cameras and hot counsellors. But when he falls for fellow 'bandie' Elyse his efforts to stifle his Stiffmeister ways will surely meet with outrageous results. Jim's dad (Eugene Levy) returns as a quirky counsellor who tries to help Stifler's little brothe

• Creed II - Steelbook 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital | Blu Ray | (25/03/2019) from £34.99   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  Life has become a balancing act for Adonis Creed. Between personal obligations and training for his next big fight, he is up against the challenge of his life. Facing an opponent with ties to his family's past only intensifies his impending battle in the ring. Rocky Balboa is there by his side through it all and, together, Rocky and Adonis will confront their shared legacy, question what's worth fighting for, and discover that nothing's more important than family. Creed II is about going back to basics to rediscover what made you a champion in the first place, and remembering that, no matter where you go, you can't escape your history.

• Man of Steel | Blu Ray | (02/12/2013) from £6.90   |  Saving you £23.09 (334.64%)   |  RRP £29.99

  From Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures comes Man of Steel starring Henry Cavill (Immortals TV's The Tudors) in the role of Clark Kent/Superman under the direction of Zack Snyder (300 Watchmen). A young boy learns that he has extraordinary powers and is not of this Earth. As a young man he journeys to discover where he came from and what he was sent here to do. But the hero in him must emerge if he is to save the world from annihilation and become the symbol of hope for all mankind. The film also stars four-time Oscar nominee Amy Adams (The Master) as Daily Planet journalist Lois Lane and Oscar nominee Laurence Fishburne (What's Love Got to Do with It) as her editor-in-chief Perry White. Starring as Clark Kent's adoptive parents Martha and Jonathan Kent are Oscar nominee Diane Lane (Unfaithful) and Academy Award& winner Kevin Costner (Dances with Wolves). Squaring off against the superhero are two other surviving Kryptonians the villainous General Zod played by Oscar nominee Michael Shannon (Revolutionary Road) and Faora Zod's evil partner played by Antje Traue (upcoming The Seventh Son). Also from Superman's native Krypton are Lara Lor-Van Superman's mother played by Ayelet Zurer (Angels and Demons) and Superman's father Jor-El portrayed by Academy Award winner Russell Crowe (Gladiator). Rounding out the cast are Christopher Meloni (42) as U.S. military man Colonel Hardy Harry Lennix (State of Play) as General Swanwick Michael Kelly (The Adjustment Bureau) as Steve Lombard and Richard Schiff (TV's The West Wing) as Dr. Emil Hamilton. Man of Steel is being produced by Charles Roven Christopher Nolan Emma Thomas and Deborah Snyder. The screenplay was written by David S. Goyer from a story by Goyer and Nolan based upon Superman characters created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster and published by DC Entertainment. Thomas Tull Lloyd Phillips and Jon Peters are serving as executive producers. Special Features: Pacific Rim International English Trailer Pacific Rim International Spanish Trailer Pacific Rim International Italian Trailer Strong Characters Legendary Roles All Out Action Krypton Decoded-Dylan Sprayberry New Zealand: Home of Middle Earth Superman 75th Anniversary Animated Short

• The Rookie | DVD | (18/08/2003) from £11.64   |  Saving you £4.35 (37.37%)   |  RRP £15.99

  A Texas baseball coach makes the major league after agreeing to try out if his high school team made the playoffs.

• Laurel Canyon | DVD | (26/04/2004) from £5.74   |  Saving you £14.25 (248.26%)   |  RRP £19.99

  When an uptight young man and his fiancee move into the house of his wild music producer of a mother, the resulting clash shakes everyone up.

• The Wiz | DVD | (17/04/2019) from £6.95   |  Saving you £3.04 (43.74%)   |  RRP £9.99

  Directed by Sidney Lumet (Serpico) and penned by Joel Schumacher (Batman and Robin), this lavish 1978 adaptation of the Broadway hit The Wiz was the biggest production filmed in New York City up to that point, utilising the newly revamped Astoria Studios and locations around the city. Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell, and Ted Ross (reprising his Tony-winning role as the Lion) star in this Academy Award-nominated musical for the whole family. The Wiz is probably the grandest take on L. Frank Baum's classic tale The Wizard of Oz. The production team created sets with a sense of urban magic and spectacle: a New York subway station literally comes to life, and the massive plaza between the World Trade Center towers is transformed into the Emerald City, featuring nearly 400 dancers with three costume changes. Like all good musicals, the Quincy Jones arrangements are highly hummable long after viewing (especially the funky "Ease On Down the Road" and the inspirational "Brand New Day"). In an era before MTV, the camera stays nearly stationary as Ross and Lena Horne vocally soar through their numbers. Their stage-like performances successfully make the leap to film, making The Wiz a testament to their singing talents and star presence. The then-thirtysomething Ross raised some eyebrows playing the traditionally teenaged Dorothy, but she and her supporting cast (including Richard Pryor as the Wiz) carry the tunes with an infectious verve that will appeal to folks of all ages. --Shannon Gee

• Jack Rosenthal Collection - Vol. 1 | DVD | (19/06/2006) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £39.99

  One of Britain's greatest dramatists the award-winning playwright Jack Rosenthal created some of the most critically-acclaimed and popular single plays of the last forty years. Instantly recognisable by their warmth and humour Rosenthal's scripts were always popular with the viewing public and were invariably big ratings winners. Alongside single plays he also honed his craft on a diverse range of television shows - from Coronation Street (for which he was one of the key writ