A lush historical drama from Marlene Gorris director of the Oscar-winning 'Antonia's Line'. The year is 1929 and in the beautiful Italian lakeside town of Como Alexander Luzhin a talented Russian chess player arrives for the World Chess Championship. The beautiful socialite Natalia is also visiting Como to meet her mother at an affluent lakeside hotel. Vera wants Natalia to marry a wealthy French count. However Natalia instead sets her sights on Luzhin who returns her affecti
Richard Hughes' classic 1929 novel is transformed into a magnificent film adaptation by revered director Alexander Mackendrick (Sweet Smell of Success The Ladykillers Whisky Galore). Two British parents living in the West Indies in the 1870s decide to send their children home to be schooled in England. However when their ship is attacked by pirates and the children are accidentally transferred onto the enemy vessel their presence begins to stir up trouble amongst the superstitious crew. Featuring wonderful turns from Anthony Quinn (La strada Lawrence of Arabia Zorba the Greek) James Coburn (The Magnificent Seven The Great Escape) and Deborah Baxter (The Wind and the Lion) in a remarkable debut performance as Emily this is a thrilling adventure classic and a subtle captivating look at the boundaries of childhood perception.
Dating from 1976, The Likely Lads belongs to an often-reviled genre--the feature-length spin-off from the 1970s sitcom. However, these were often a great deal better than TV purists make them out to be. The Dad's Army film, for example, more than measures up to the original series, the first Steptoe and Son movie is as sublime as any 1960s kitchen sink drama and much funnier, while this incarnation of The Likely Lads reaches heights of hilarity not even scaled by the splendid sitcom from which it was derived. Starring Rodney Bewes as Bob and James Bolam as Terry, this is an aimless but endlessly entertaining saga that takes in a calamitous caravan holiday in drizzly Northumbria, a farcical escapade in a seaside guest house and innumerable minor capers in between. The real business here, however, is in Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais' script and characterisation. Most of their best work involves men in confinement of some sort (Porridge, Auf Wiedersehen Pet) and here it's Bob who finds himself timidly chafing at the clutches of domestic "bliss" as personified by wife Thelma (played magnificently and underratedly by Brigit Forsyth, avoiding all the usual battleaxe clichés). He's jealous of the footloose Terry, even though the latter is clearly frustrated at his rootless existence ("I've learned nothing. Y'know what it'll say on my gravestone? "None the Bloody Wiser"!"). Beyond a mere nostalgia-fest, this is vintage, essential Brit-comedy. On the DVD: The Likely Lads is presented in widescreen 1.78:1. Unfortunately, this comedic milestone comes only with the original trailer by way of extras. --David Stubbs
Bowfinger: How does Bobby Bowfinger (Steve Martin) Hollywood's least successful director get Kit Ramsey (Eddie Murphy) Hollywood's biggest star in his ultra low-budget film? Any way he can. With an ingenious scheme and the help of the eager nerd Jiff an ambitious and sexy wannabe (Heather Graham) and an over-the-hill diva (Christine Baranski) Bowfinger sets out to trick Kit Ramsey into the performance of a lifetime.... (Dir. Frank Oz 1999) The Nutty Professor: Eddie Murphy stars as Dr Sherman Klump a kind ""calorically challenged"" genetics professor who longs to shed his 400-pound frame in order to win the heart of beautiful Jada Pinkett. So with one swig of his experimental fat-reducing serum Sherman becomes ""Buddy Love"" a fast-talking pumped-up plumped-down Don Juan. Can Sherman stop his buff alter ego before it's too late or will Buddy have the last laugh? (Dir. Tom Shadyac 1996) Life: Eddie Murphy is the fast talking con-artist Rayford Gibson and Martin Lawrence is the conservative bank teller Claude Banks. The two are accidentally teamed up to become the funniest ""odd couple"" east of the Mississippi. In an effort to pay off Ray's debt and restore Claude's reputation they travel south on a bootlegging run for some quick cash. There is no limit to their comical misfortune as they are placed at the scene of a crime and their mistaken identity lands them right in front of the judge. This hysterical comedy gives a whole new meaning to friends for life. (Dir. Ted Demme 1999)
Michael Redgrave Valerie Hobson Flora Robson and Felix Aylmer star in this moving and sophisticated story of love and loss set against the backdrop of the Second World War and based on the play by Daphne Du Maurier. After hearing news that her officer husband has been killed in battle Diana Wentworth forges a new life for herself becoming an MP and learning to love again. Then out of the blue comes the shattering news that her husband is not dead after all...
Danger is in the details. On the eve of her wedding to Barnaby (James D'Arcy) Carmen (Natalia Verbeke) recklessly kisses an attractive stranger Kit (Gael Garcia Bernal). Having recently fled a violent and volatile relationship in Spain Carmen has found comfort and safety with her fianc Barnaby who clearly dotes on her. Carmen hopes marriage will give her the security and stability she craves but her passions are aroused by one kiss from Kit and she is torn between her emotions and her loyalty to the man she is to marry...
In Paris a young American who works as a Michael Jackson lookalike meets Marilyn Monroe who invites him to her commune in Scotland where she lives with Charlie Chaplin and her daughter Shirley Temple.
For anyone interested in voyeurism, role playing, class envy and sexual humiliation, The Servant is an essential buy. Directed by Joseph Losey, scripted by Harold Pinter, it probes away remorselessly at areas other British film-makers would not go near. Dirk Bogarde, the golden boy of 50s British cinema, is transformed into a scheming, unctuous butler, Barrett. Hired by dapper young toff Tony (James Fox), he proceeds gradually to take over his master's life. In one scene, he seduces Tony's fiancée (Wendy Craig). Tony is soon slavering over the voluptuous but vaguely sinister Vera (Sarah Miles), whom he has been told is his butler's sister (in fact, she's Barrett's mistress). Gradually, the lines between master and servant are blurred. Tony becomes beholden to his butler's every whim.Nobody does queasy quite as well as Losey. The American-born director relishes the chance to disrupt the smooth workings of what seems a typical upper-class household. Compared to the bland comedies made at Pinewood in the late 50s, The Servant couldn't help but seem groundbreaking. Thanks to his performance, Bogarde, who'd starred in so many of those comedies, was at last taken seriously as more than a matinee idol. The critics adored the film, which was first released at around the time of the Profumo crisis. "Even if I make 10 better pictures in my lifetime", Losey observed, "I don't suppose one could expect to have such unanimous appreciation and approval again". --Geoffrey Macnab
Sid Halley Champion National Hunt Jockey faces the end of his racing career and his marriage. Crippled by an accident on the turf he is forced into the murky underworld of man's richest sport to take his chances with playboys punters touts and crooks. Inspired by the Dick Francis novel Odds Against.
A fatal illness mars the happiness of a young family. When the family's business also runs into problems they call on a friend to put some order into their affairs. While he manages to restore the financial well-being he inadvertently shakes the foundations of the couple's conjugal happiness...
The most fertile man in Ireland is in serious demand. Whilst the rest of the male population of Belfast are firing nothing but blanks Eamonn is blessed with 'tadpoles on speed that could impregnate a stone'. Realising that there is cash to be made out of his fellow man's infertility this 24 year old virgin transforms himself overnight into Belfast's very own one man sperm bank. Business is booming until Eamonn is sucked into the 'troubles' and finds his crown jewels dangling in the fires of political distrust and religious intolerance!
After the death of their daughter, the Hughes family decide to move to their isolated cottage to try and rebuild their life together. They soon find their patience quickly tested by the overly friendly advances of their neighbours - a family that bear a striking resemblance to themselves. Starring Selma Blair, In Their Skin will shred your nerves, haunt your mind and definitely make you think twice about inviting people to dinner ever again...
Starla Grady (Jane McGregor) an ultra girlie Texan babe is the most popular girl at Splendona High School. That is until French foreign-exchange student Genevieve LePlouff (Piper Perabo) comes to stay with Starla's family. When Genevieve first arrives she is a beret and glasses wearing plane Jane who seems to be in awe of Starla's amazing life and joins Starla's friends in praising her talent and beauty. However when Genevieve's story of misfortune and lost love is featured in
Fred Williamson is imposing tough and unflappable as a street kid who muscles his way into the big-time mob racket in this super-slick drama from writer/director Larry Cohen which became a smash hit of the Blaxploitaion genre and spawned a successful sequel (Hell Up In Harlem). Tommy Gibbs (Williamson) has always had it tough. Growing up on the streets without a father and trying to make his mother proud Tommy resorts to running errands for The Man. But when a crooked cop beats h
Your Highness Throughout history, tales of chivalry have burnished the legends of brave, handsome knights who rescue fair damsels, slay dragons and conquer evil. But behind many a hero is a good-for-nothing younger brother trying just to stay out of the way of those dragons, evil and trouble in general. Danny McBride and James Franco team up for an epic comedy adventure set in a fantastical world-Your Highness. As two princes on a daring mission to save their land, they must rescue the heir apparent's fiance before their kingdom is destroyed. Thadeous (McBride) has spent his life watching his perfect older brother Fabious (Franco) embark upon valiant journeys and win the hearts of his people. Tired of being passed over for adventure, adoration and the throne, he's settled for a life of wizard's weed, hard booze and easy maidens. But when Fabious' bride-to-be, Belladonna (Zooey Deschanel), gets kidnapped by the evil wizard Leezar (Justin Theroux)... Year One History was made...by these guys? Zed (Jack Black) and Oh (Michael Cera) are cavemen who stumble out of the mountains into an epic journey of biblical proportions. One’s a bumbling hunter, the other’s a gentle gatherer; together, they become unlikely participants in history’s most pivotal moments. Directed and co-written by comedy legend Harold Ramis (Groundhog Day, Caddyshack, Analyze This), Year One is rude, crude, wildly absurd, deliciously tasteless and laugh-out-loud funny! Land of the Lost Space-time vortexes suck. Will Ferrell stars as has-been scientist Dr. Rick Marshall, sucked into one and spat back through time. Way back. Now, Marshall has no weapons, few skills and questionable smarts to survive in an alternate universe full of marauding dinosaurs and fantastic creatures from beyond our world-a place of spectacular sights and super-scaled comedy known as the Land of the Lost. Sucked alongside him for the adventure are crack-smart research assistant Holly (Anna Friel) and a redneck survivalist (Danny McBride) named Will. Chased by T. rex and stalked by painfully slow reptiles known as Sleestaks, Marshall, Will and Holly must rely on their only ally-a primate called Chaka (Jorma Taccone) - to navigate out of the hybrid dimension. Escape from this routine expedition gone awry and they're heroes. Get stuck, and they'll be permanent refugees in the Land of the Lost. Based on the classic television series created by Sid & Marty Krofft, Land of the Lost is directed by Brad Silberling and produced by Jimmy Miller and Sid and Marty Krofft.
Filmed at the Metropolitan Opera House in 1995 this rendition of Verdi's 'Otello' is beautifully crafted by leading stars Placido Domingo and Renee Fleming. This was the first major success for Fleming at the Met and as this release illustrates she tackled the character of Desdemona wonderfully.
Titles Comprise: Cabin Fever: As a last hurrah after college friends Jeff Karen Paul Mercy and Bert embark on a vacation deep into the mountains. With the top down and the music up they drive to a remote cabin to enjoy their last days of decadence before entering the working world. Then somebody gets sick. Karen's skin starts to bubble and burn as something grows inside her tunneling beneath her flesh. As they debate about how to save her they look at one another and realize that any one of them could also have it. What began as a struggle against the disease soon turns into a battle against friends as the fear of contagion drives them to turn on each other... Cabin Fever 2: Following on from the first film Cabin Fever 2 sees a high school prom face a deadly threat: a flesh-eating virus that spreads via a popular brand of bottled water.
Please wait. Loading...
This site uses cookies.
More details in our privacy policy