"Actor: Ian"

• We Are Marshall (1-Disc Edition) | DVD | (22/10/2007) from £5.49   |  Saving you £8.50 (60.80%)   |  RRP £13.99

  There seems to be no end to "beating-the-odds" American football movies these days, but We Are Marshall, based on a true story, is in the top tier of that clutch of movies. Matthew McConaughey plays Jack Lengyel, who becomes head coach--more or less by default--of Marshall University's rebuilding varsity American football team in Huntington, West Virginia, after the school's 37-member team and coaches (and a number of others) die in a plane crash in the Appalachian Mountains on November 14, 1970. Facing an indifferent college president (David Strathairn) ready to shut the football program down, a morose assistant coach (Matthew Fox of Lost fame), and a charged-up player (Anthony Mackie) who missed the doomed flight due to an injury, Lengyel is faced with fielding a new team and putting the players through their paces. There are the usual, perhaps too-familiar, training montages and field action, but screenwriter Jamie Linden and director McG (Charlie's Angels) also draw some very good performances from the likes of Kate Mara and Ian McShane, contributing to an emotional tapestry conveying a powerful sense of how such a sizable loss affects a small community. --Sally Giles

• The Sign of Four | DVD | (17/04/2019) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £15.99

  A young woman desperate for help enlists the aid of Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Watson. Drawn in by her intriguing tale the game is afoot and they begin to delve deeper into the case of a missing army captain in India, secret pacts and a king's ransom in stolen jewels, all the while shadowed by a mysterious peg-legged man and his dangerous associate.

• Jubilee | DVD | (18/06/2001) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Derek Jarman's Jubilee combines a safety-pin and barbed-wire vision of 1977 London in ruins (all burning prams and castrated policemen), a meditation on English mysticism guided by a time-travelling Queen Elizabeth I (the immensely regal Jenny Runacre) and a wild 'n' crazy account of the rampages of a gang of personality punk psychos, to become the closest a British film could come to the John Waters of Pink Flamingos. But there are surprisingly lyrical stretches (the only songs sung all the way through are "Jerusalem" and "My Love is Like a Red Red Rose") and, though future pop stars Toyah Wilcox and Adam Ant are embarrassingly amateurish as rebel street angels, some of the one-note maniacal performances--especially Lex Luther look-alike Orlando as mad media tycoon Borgia Ginz--are relishable. Among the people you've forgotten are in it are Ian Charleson of Chariots of Fire, celebrity shop assistant Jordan (as narrator Amyl Nitrate), Richard O'Brien and Little Nell of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the Lindsay Kemp Dance Troupe and Adolf Hitler of World War II. Arguably the only Derek Jarman movie you might consider watching for pleasure, this is still not exactly the 1970s nostalgia fodder you might expect: even as the haircuts and music have receded into cultural history, the movie's acid-look vision of the worst of England remains horribly sound. The soundtrack features Adam and the Ants ("Deutscher Girls"), Wayne County and the Electric Chairs ("Paranoia Paradise"), Chelsea ("Right to Work"), Suzi Pinns (a thrash punk "Rule Britannia" best appreciated by those with the aural range of a fox terrier), Siouxie and the Banshees ("Love in a Void"), Amilcar ("Wargasm in Pornotopia"), the Slits and Brian Eno ("Slow Water", "Dover Beach"). In the 21st Century, the creative team are either dead or doing pantomime--which is so appropriate that irony doesn't even come into it. --Kim Newman

• Button Moon: The Complete Collection | DVD | (30/09/2024) from £56.44   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

• Wuthering Heights | DVD | (07/02/2005) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £12.99

  Haunting passionate and unforgettable this beautiful version of Emily Bronte's timeless masterpiece stars Anna Calder-Marshall and Timothy Dalton as Cathy and Heathcliff star crossed lovers destined for a doomed romance.....

• Alien: The Director's Cut (Two Disc Special Edition) | DVD | (15/03/2004) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £22.99

  Director Ridley Scott's new cut of his 1979 sci-fi classic about a lifeform that is perfectly evolved to annihilate mankind. In space no-one can hear you scream.

• Essex Boys Retribution | DVD | (23/12/2013) from £3.48   |  Saving you £12.51 (359.48%)   |  RRP £15.99

  When three of the country's most notorious killers were shot dead in a desolate field late one night a criminal empire was toppled and the legend of the infamous Range Rover murders was born.

• X-Men 2 Special Edition DVD (Two Disc Set) | DVD | (10/11/2003) from £4.32   |  Saving you £18.67 (432.18%)   |  RRP £22.99

  X-Men 2 picks up almost directly where X-Men left off: misguided super-villain Magneto (Ian McKellen) is still a prisoner of the US government, heroic bad-boy Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) is up in Canada investigating his mysterious origin, and the events at Liberty Island (which occurred at the conclusion of X-Men) have prompted a rethink in official policy towards mutants--the proposed Mutant Registration Act has been shelved by US Congress. Into this scenario pops wealthy former army commander William Stryker, a man with the President's ear and a personal vendetta against all mutant-kind in general, and the X-Men's leader Professor X (Patrick Stewart) in particular. Once he sets his plans in motion, the X-Men must team-up with their former enemies Magneto and Mystique (Rebecca Romjin-Stamos), as well as some new allies (including Alan Cumming's gregarious, blue-skinned German mutant, Nightcrawler). The phenomenal global success of X-Men meant that director Bryan Singer had even more money to spend on its sequel, and it shows. Not only is the script better (there's significantly less cheesy dialogue than the original), but the action and effects are also even more stupendous--from Nightcrawler's teleportation sequence through the White House to a thrilling aerial dogfight featuring mutants-vs-missiles to a military assault on the X-Men's school/headquarters to the final showdown at Stryker's sub-Arctic headquarters. Yet at no point do the effects overtake the film or the characters. Moreso than the original, this is an ensemble piece, allowing each character in its even-bigger cast at least one moment in the spotlight (in fact, the cast credits don't even run until the end of the film). And that, perhaps, is part of its problem (though it's a slight one): with so much going on, and nary a recap of what's come before, it's a film that could prove baffling to anyone who missed the first instalment. But that's just a minor quibble--X-Men 2 is that rare thing, a sequel that's actually superior to its predecessor. --Robert Burrow

• Pennyworth: Season 2 | Blu Ray | (09/08/2021) from £17.98   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  A year after the explosive events of last season, England finds itself embroiled in a devastating civil war, with the powerful, neo-fascist Raven Union, led by Lord Harwood (Jason Flemyng) threatening to control the entire country. North London remains one of the few resistance holdouts remaining.It's here in the West End Neutral Zone, that we find Alfred Pennyworth (Jack Bannon). After years in the British Army, his training with the SAS has taught him to be a cynical optimist expecting the worst, but knowing that he can handle it. Now running The Delaney, a black-market Soho club that welcomes everyone, regardless of their politics, Alfred, with his SAS mates, Bazza (Hainsley Lloyd Bennett) and Daveboy (Ryan Fletcher), is now in search of a way out... before London, and his country, burns itself to the ground. And he's got his eye on America.

• House Of Cards: The Trilogy | Blu Ray | (08/04/2013) from £13.85   |  Saving you £11.14 (80.43%)   |  RRP £24.99

  Acclaimed screenwriter Andrew Davies (Bleak House, Pride and Prejudice) won an Emmy Award for this thrilling adaptation of Michael Dobbs' bestselling novels. House of Cards is a delicious tale of greed, corruption and burning ambition. At its heart is Francis Urquhart (Ian Richardson, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy), a black-hearted villain with a smiling face, who shares with the viewers his estranged humour and innermost thoughts to destroy each of his political rivals. One by one his opponents tumble, until at last there is just one wild card left in the pack... Special Features: Audio Commentary

• Ben And Holly's Little Kingdom: Ben And Holly's Christmas | DVD | (04/11/2013) from £11.99   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

  Father Christmas pays a surprise visit to The Little Kingdom to check on the Christmas preparations. The Elves are busy making all the toys and Nanny Plum is in control of the crackers. Everything is going according to plan until the King gets trapped in a cracker the Queen gets trapped in a toy fairy castle and the Wise Old Elf gets trapped in a Christmas tree.

• The Hobbit Trilogy | Blu Ray | (17/04/2019) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £49.99

  THE ENTIRE EPIC ADVENTURE SEE ALL THREE FILMS in director Peter Jackson’s trilogy based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s enduring masterpiece on Blu-ray 3D™ and Blu-ray™ in one complete collection. THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY™ Follow Bilbo Baggins who – along with the Wizard Gandalf and 13 Dwarves led by Thorin Oakenshield – is swept into an epic and treacherous quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor. THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG™ Bilbo and the Dwarves escape the giant Spiders and Wood-elves of Mirkwood before encountering the mysterious Bard who smuggles them into Lake-town. Finally reaching the Lonely Mountain they confront the Dragon Smaug. THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES™ The Dwarves of Erebor have reclaimed their homeland but face the consequences of unleashing Smaug. As five great armies go to war Bilbo fights for his life and the races of Dwarves Elves and Men must unite or be destroyed.

• The Armando Ianucci Shows | DVD | (04/09/2006) from £7.45   |  Saving you £2.54 (34.09%)   |  RRP £9.99

  From the writer and producer behind such comedy heavyweights as The Day Today Knowing Me Knowing You...With Alan Partridge and I'm Alan Partridge as writer / performer comes Armando Ianucci's very own incisive and sometimes downright vicious comedy series. With the inventive and unpredictable Ianucci at the helm each episode loosely follows a theme where he'll comment upon human behaviour through his quirky gaze poking fun at all those who deserve it and probably those who don't as well. Joined by Hugh an old man who talks about the old days and the East End Thug who has a unique way of problem solving there has never been a more entertaining way of looking at the peculiarities of modern existence! Produced and cut with deftness the show initially received little media attention however it has since become a firm cult favourite and deserves its place in the cannon along side the likes of Alan Partridge and Brasseye. Episodes Comprise 1. Episode #1.1 2. Work 3. Mortality 4. Communication 5. Episode #1.5 6. Neighbours 7. Reality 8. Imagination

• American Gods Season 1-3 | Blu Ray | (04/10/2021) from £30.30   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  Ricky Whittle (The 100) stars as ex-con Shadow Moon, a man pulled into the service of the mysterious Mr. Wednesday, played by Ian McShane (Deadwood, John Wick) only to discover that not only is his charismatic but un-trustable boss actually the Norse All-Father god Odin, he's also... Shadow's father.

• Dark City | DVD | (01/10/1999) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  If you're a fan of brooding comic-book anti-heroes, got a nihilistic jolt from The Crow (1994) and share director Alex Proyas's highly developed preoccupation for style over substance, you might be tempted to call Dark City an instant classic of visual imagination. It's one of those films that exists in a world purely of its own making, setting its own rules and playing by them fairly, so that even its derivative elements (and there are quite a few) acquire their own specific uniqueness. Before long, however, the film becomes interesting only as a triumph of production design. And while that's certainly enough to grab your attention (Blade Runner is considered a classic, after all), it's painfully clear that Dark City has precious little heart and soul. One-dimensional characters are no match for the film's abundance of retro-futuristic style, so it's best to admire the latter on its own splendidly cinematic terms. Trivia buffs will be interested to know that the film's 50-plussets (partially inspired by German expressionism) were built at the Fox Film Studios in Sydney, Australia, home base of director Alex Proyas and producer Andrew Mason. The underground world depicted in the film required the largest indoor set ever built in Australia. --Jeff Shannon

• John Wick 1/2/3 Triple Boxset | Blu Ray | (16/09/2019) from £29.99   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  When a retired hit man is forced back into action by a brutal Russian mobster, he hunts down his adversaries with the ruthlessness that made him a crime underworld legend in John Wick, a stylish tale of revenge and redemption. After the sudden death of his beloved wife, John Wick receives one last gift from her, a beagle puppy named Daisy, and a note imploring him not to forget how to love. But John's mourning is interrupted when his 1969 Boss Mustang catches the eye of sadistic thug Iosef Tarasov who breaks into his house and steals it, beating John unconscious and leaving Daisy dead. Unwittingly, they have just reawakened one of the most brutal assassins the underworld has ever seen. John's search for his stolen vehicle takes him to a side of New York City that tourists never see, a hyper-real, super-secret criminal community, where John Wick was once the baddest guy of all.

• Cannibal the Musical | DVD | (02/02/2004) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £15.99

  Alferd Packer was the only man in the United States ever convicted of cannibalism--what better hero for fellow Coloradan and future South Park creator Trey Parker to celebrate in music? Blue-eyed and boyish Parker was still in college when he wrote, directed, composed the songs for and took the starring role as the innocent young Packer in this film, giving a gee-whiz performance as an ambitious pioneer who joins an ill-fated trek west that ends up stranded in the mountains. At times resembling a perverse community theatre parody of Rodgers and Hammerstein ("My heart's as full as a baked po-ta-to!"), Parker bounces back and forth between cheery production numbers and goony songs ("Let's build a snowman", sings one starving-mad hiker) and grotesque gore (bloody body parts, festering sores, human hors d'oeuvres). It lacks in style and consistency and the juvenile gags and fart jokes wear thin over the course of a feature film, but Parker's sheer energy and inventiveness carry the overlong picture to a rousing conclusion. Regular Parker collaborators Matt Stone and Dian Bachar co-star in this tuneful barbecue. --Sean Axmaker

• The Wind In The Willows - Winter Tales | DVD | (28/10/2013) from £9.99   |  Saving you £-5.00 (N/A%)   |  RRP £4.99

  First published in 1908, Kenneth Grahame's 'The Wind In The Willows' has become one of the best loved books of all time, enchanting generations of children and adults alike. Narrated by IAN CARMICHAEL and voiced by an all star cast including DAVID JASON as Toad, MICHAEL HORDERN as Badger, RICHARD PEARSON as Mole and PETER SALLIS as Ratty. Brought to the screen by award winning animation team Cosgrove Hall, 'The Wind In The Willows' brings to life the charming adventures of our four intrepid...

• The Last Kingdom: Season 1&2 | DVD | (08/05/2017) from £24.99   |  Saving you £-5.00 (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Special Features: Creating the world of The Last Kingdom The Making of The Last Kingdom The Stunts of The Last Kingdom Season 1 recap The Making of The Last Kingdom Season 2

• Chariots of Fire - Limited Edition Steelbook | Blu Ray | (02/06/2014) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £22.99

  Winner of four Academy Awards including Best Picture this internationally acclaimed motion picture recounts the poignant true story of two British sprinters vying for gold in the 1924 Paris Olympic Games. Harold Abrahams (Ben Cross) a driven athlete of Jewish ancestry runs to overcome prejudice and to achieve personal fame; his rival Eric Liddell (Ian Charleson) a devout Scottish missionary competes for the glory of God. An inspirational story of spirit and strength in the face of enormous odds the film combines the finest elements of athletic competition and human drama to create a compelling and timeless cinematic classic.