Michel Deville's sleek drama of eroticism and murder was released in 1985 in France to great acclaim. It has all the ingredients required for an intriguing thriller: sex dishonesty voyeurism murder and a stunning cast. A rich business man and his young wife Julia hire David to teach guitar to their teenage daughter Vivianne. Julia quickly seduces David and they begin a steamy affair which unbeknownst to them is being filmed by the next door neighbour whom David has befriended.
A faithful and longstanding CIA operative Wheeler (Jean-Claude Van Damme) has been drugged and brought aboard the Blackwater, a high security prison repurposed from a submarine. There, Wheeler is being tortured into revealing the location of a highly profitable and secret CIA dongle that allows for the decoding a drive containing information about CIA operatives around the world. Trapped on the ship and under fire, Wheeler must befriend rookie agent Cassie (Jasmine Waltz) and an ex-German agent Marco (Dolph Lundgren) in order to get off the ship alive.
Made barely a year after Claude Chabrol's debut Le Beau Serge, Les Cousins featured the earlier film's same starring pair of Jean-Claude Brialy and Grard Blain, here reversing the good-guy/bad-guy roles of the previous picture. The result is a simmering, venomous study in human temperament that not only won the Golden Bear at the 1959 Berlin Film Festival, but also drew audiences in droves, and effectively launched Chabrol's incredible fifty-year-long career. A gripping and urbane examination of city and country, ambition and ease, Les Cousins continues to captivate and shock audiences with its brilliant scenario, the performances of Brialy and Blain, and the assuredness of Chabrol's precocious directorial hand. The Masters of Cinema Series is proud to present Claude Chabrol's breakthrough film in a beautiful new Gaumont restoration on Blu-ray and DVD for the first time in the UK. Special Features: Gorgeous new Gaumont restoration of the film in its original aspect ratio, presented in 1080p on the Blu-ray New and improved English subtitles Original theatrical trailer A 47-minute documentary about the making of the film L'Homme qui vendit la Tour Eiffel [The Man Who Sold the Eiffel Tower], Chabrol's 1964 short film A lengthy booklet with a new and exclusive essay by critic Emmanuel Burdeau; a new and exclusive translation of a rare text about actress Franoise Vatel provided for this release by its author, the filmmaker and critic Luc Moullet; excerpts of interviews and writing by Chabrol; and more
MARTIAL ARTS LEGEND SHO KOSUGI FACES OFF AGAINST ACTION MOVIE STAR JEAN-CLAUDE VAN DAMME IN THIS 80s ACTION CLASSIC FROM THE DIRECTOR OF THE OCTAGON After an F11 fighter plane gets shot down over the Mediterranean Sea the U.S. Government cannot afford to lose the top-secret laser tracking device on board. But unfortunately the KGB team lead by the infamous Andrei (Jean-Claude-Van-Damme) are beating the CIA in the race to find it. The CIA has no choice but to call in their best man master martial artist Ken Tani (Sho Kosugi) code name...Black Eagle. In response the KGB resorts to an all-out war with the powerful Andrei matching Ken blow for blow.
Former U.S. marine Storm Rothchild (Jean-Claude Van Damme) is now an unhinged teambuilding coach whose latest assignment is to take CHRIS (Adam Brody) and his own team of office misfits on a team building exercise. Things go from bad to worse as the whole team gets stranded on a deserted tropical island with no rescue in sight. Will Storm lead them to safety or will Chris have to man up release his inner beast and finally take control of his co-workers? Welcome to the Jungle is a hilarious ride also featuring Kristen Schaal and Dennis Haysbert.
This film dramatizes the last years of a political leadership and a private life: that of Francois Mitterrand.
The thrill of the hunt. It's the ultimate drug, and the more intense the rush, the higher the price. International superstar Jean-Claude Van Damme teams up with world-famous action director John Woo for this electrifying thriller. Van Damme is the target of an evil mercenary (Lance Henriksen) who recruits homeless combat veterans for the amusement of his clients - bored tycoons who will pay a half a million dollars to stalk and kill the most challenging prey of them all: Man. Laced with dark humour and slam-packed with electrifying action, Hard Target is a must-see for action fans. Product Features Premium Collector's Edition - Individually Numbered & limited to 2000 copies worldwide. Hard Target 2 Blu-Ray Bonus Disc Gloss & Embossed Steelbook Rigid slipcase with spot gloss detail 40pp Production Notes book 8x Lobby Cards Double Sided Poster
Universal Soldier Luc Deveraux is back. Jean-Claude Van Damme gallantly attempts to resurrect interest in his tepid career with this action-riddled roller-coaster ride. Set in the not-too-distant future, Deveraux has been employed by the government to oversee the new UniSol project. What is UniSol? It's a military plan to turn dead soldiers into invincible fighting machines (see the first Univeral Soldier for more details). It's also the scheme that went horribly wrong when the soldiers turned psycho, killing the scientists who created them. Not deterred by this early setback, the government replicates the project. This time they work out that they can control the soldiers through a supercomputer called SETH (kind of like HAL in 2001, but smarter). But, as we all know, machines frequently break down. Pretty soon the computer comes to the conclusion that it's superior to humans and therefore it must destroy them. Uh oh.Van Damme to the rescue. The muscles from Brussels heroically leap into action confronting the dangerous soldiers led by Bill (WCW) Goldberg and Michael Jai White (last seen in Spawn). The action is impressive and the stunts are engrossing. Goldberg is charismatic as the cartoonish villain who sneers and snouts while muttering macho things like, "I'm gonna kill that guy." Van Damme looks more at home in a production that he is not directing, and for once he lets his fists do the talking. Ironically, the movie is missing the gloss and big-budget pathos of its predecessor (created by Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich), making the original decidedly better. -- Jeremy Storey, Amazon.com
A train rockets across Eastern Europe. On board are agent Kristoff (Van Damme) and Galina a beautiful high-tech thief. Holding the passengers hostage are a band of terrorists who have come to steal the bioweapon on board. With the train off course and on a collision course for danger Kristoff becomes a one-man army taking on the terrorists and trying to save the lives of everyone on board.
Tracklist: 1.Come Talk To Me 2.Steam 3.Across The River 4.Slow Marimbas 5.Shaking The Tree 6.Blood Of Eden 7.San Jacinto 8.Kiss That Frog 9.Washing In The Water 10.Solsbury Hill 11.Digging In The Dirt 12.Sledgehammer 13.Secret World 14.Don't Give Up 15.In Your Eyes
At the age of 12 Antoine's life is dominated by twin passions dancing to Arabic music and getting his hair cut by the voluptuous middle-aged local hairdresser who inadvertently provides him with his first experience of the opposite sex. Antoine reaches middle age with his passion undiminished: upon meeting shy hairdresser Mathilde he is so taken by her that he proposes marriage. She accepts and he moves into her salon where they pursue their romance with an intensity that blind
They put him in a coma now he's going to put them out of their misery. Anthony Stowe (Van Damme) is a narcotics lieutenant - he's addicted to heroin has a bad attitude and everyone hates him including his soon-to-be-ex wife. His ex-partner Gabriel Callaghan (Stephen Rea) is working to become the new leader of the gangsters in local organized crime. Callaghan sends his men after Anthony they shoot him in the head and he falls into a coma. Months later he awakens with the idea of finishing off his former partner and becoming a better person and better husband.
In 1992 two of the world's most popular action superstars were brought together to create one of the most unforgettable martial arts/action/sci-fi cult classics of its time. The film was Universal Soldier the stars were Jean-Claude Van Damme (JCVD Legionnaire Bloodsport Kickboxer) and Dolph Lundgren (Rocky IV The Punisher Direct Contact). In 2010 director John Hyams (NYPD Blue One Dog Day The Smashing Machine) has brought these legends of action cinema together again for the ultimate future killing machine showdown Universal Soldier: Regeneration. The world is in danger and the government is being threatened. Crazed terrorists are on the loose and will stop at nothing to cause death and destruction. Using stolen technology they have created their own version of the Universal Soldier: a lethal robot warrior whose only programme is to kill and kill again. The government's only hope is to regenerate Luc Deveraux a decommissioned Unisol and expert assassin. His mission: to infiltrate a highly armed fortress slaughter the enemy and save the world from nuclear disaster. But somebody - or something - is waiting for him something intent on crushing the future into oblivion. Let the combat commence.
From acclaimed director Abbis Kiarostami (Taste of Cherry The Wind Will Carry Us) comes the story of a couple's apparent chance meeting in beautiful Tusccany. He (William Shimell) is a British author in town to talk about his new book. She (Juliette Binoche) is a French gallery owner in search of originality. Together they tour the local galleries cafes and museums and discover that nothing is quite what it seems and truth like art is always open to interpretation. A captivating film Certified Copy marries post-modern reality games with mature romantic comedy in a single playful and provocative package.
In New Orleans, a mysterious man looks to unite to warring gangs against the lawmen who have been using them to advance their corrupt agenda.
Titles Comprise: It's A Wonderful Life (1946) This collectors edition of Frank Capra's masterpiece is the ultimate feel good film. Starring the unforgettable James Stewart as George Bailey the man who receives the greatest Christmas gift of all. A superb ensemble cast includes Donna Reed and Lionel Barrymore this high spirited Christmas tale is directed by the immortal Frank Capra and ranks as an all-time favourite of fans and critics alike. Mr. Smith Goes To Washington (1939) James Stewart Jean Arthur and Claude Rains star in this award-winning 1939 classic about an idealistic small-town politician who heads to Washington and suddenly finds himself single-handedly battling ruthless politicians out to destroy him... You Can't Take It With You (1938) James Stewart Jean Arthur Lionel Barrymore and Edward Arnold star in this screwball comedy. Arthur stars as Alice Sycamore the stable family member of an offbeat clan of free spirits who falls for Stewart the down-to-earth son of a snooty wealthy family. Amidst a backdrop of confusion the two very different families rediscover the simple joys of life... It Happened One Night (1934) Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert team up for laughs as mismatched lovers in this 1934 screwball comedy classic. Spoiled Ellie Andrews (Colbert) escapes from her millionaire father (Walter Connolly) who wants to stop her from marrying a worthless playboy. En route to New York Ellie gets involved with an out-of-work newsman Peter Warne (Gable). When their bus breaks down the bickering couple set off on a madcap hitchhiking expedition. Peter hopes to parlay the inside story of their misadventures into a job. But complications fly when the runaway heiress and brash reporter fall in love.
Perhaps the most accessible of Robert Bresson's films, this story of a 14-year-old schoolgirl at the mercy of the world around her is like a melodrama stripped of flourish. Mouchette is an angry adolescent in the French provinces, the daughter of a drunken bootlegger and a dying, bedridden mother, a pariah in school and a figure of village gossip. She rebels in typically adolescent ways, lobbing mud at teasing classmates and defying wagging tongues with a wilful stare, but her deep pain and loneliness pour from her hollow, sad eyes. There's no sentimentality in Bresson's portrait of village life but for a few brief moments the film explodes with energy and emotion. Mouchette rides the bumper cars at a local fair, flirting with a young boy in loving bumps and deliberate rams, and her dour expression flowers in a smile as the fairground speakers blare a rock & roll tune... until her father's heavy hand slaps her back to reality. It's a moment unlike any other in a Bresson film, a joyous reprieve from the monotony of her life, but if the rest of her existence is glum and hopeless, the film is unexpectedly beautiful. The style is often fragmented--the film opens on a stunning play of hands, feet and spying eyes as poacher and police both wait for their prey--but the beauty of the forests and meadows creates an idyllic naturalism that leavens Bresson's harsh portrait of the human condition. --Sean Axmaker
Made barely a year after Claude Chabrol's debut Le Beau Serge, Les Cousins featured the earlier film's same starring pair of Jean-Claude Brialy and Grard Blain, here reversing the good-guy/bad-guy roles of the previous picture. The result is a simmering, venomous study in human temperament that not only won the Golden Bear at the 1959 Berlin Film Festival, but also drew audiences in droves, and effectively launched Chabrol's incredible fifty-year-long career. A gripping and urbane examination of city and country, ambition and ease, Les Cousins continues to captivate and shock audiences with its brilliant scenario, the performances of Brialy and Blain, and the assuredness of Chabrol's precocious directorial hand. The Masters of Cinema Series is proud to present Claude Chabrol's breakthrough film in a beautiful new Gaumont restoration on Blu-ray and DVD for the first time in the UK. Special Features: Gorgeous new Gaumont restoration of the film in its original aspect ratio New and improved English subtitles Original theatrical trailer A 47-minute documentary about the making of the film L'Homme qui vendit la Tour Eiffel [The Man Who Sold the Eiffel Tower], Chabrol's 1964 short film A lengthy booklet with a new and exclusive essay by critic Emmanuel Burdeau; a new and exclusive translation of a rare text about actress Franoise Vatel provided for this release by its author, the filmmaker and critic Luc Moullet; excerpts of interviews and writing by Chabrol; and more
The icily beautiful French goddess Catherine Denueve is celebrated here in Optimum's Screen Icons series with a box-set of films that span the full range of her illustrious 45-year career so far. Umbrellas Of Cherbourg was the film that made Deneuve a star and introduced her to the world. A conventional love story made completely original by all the dialogue being sung and a rainbow of colours reflecting the radiance of the story and characters alike. Umbrellas won the Palme D'Or in Cannes in 1964. Belle du Jour Undoubtedly Luis Buuel's most accessible film Belle de Jour is an elegant and erotic masterpiece that maintains as hypnotic a grip on modern audiences as it did on its debut 30 years ago. Denueve plays a bored and sexually frustrated housewife who becomes a part-time prostitute and begins a dangerous relationship with a young gangster. Donkey Skin is a wonderfully bizarre film from Jacques Demy a unique synthesis of Jean Cocteau and Walt Disney. Ahead of its time and strikingly modern in its production design it's also a warts and all fairytale ripe with incorrect royalism and medieval misogyny. Deneuve plays the dual role of the King's wife and daughter. Manon 70 a 1960's version of an 18th century French novel and a 19th century Italian opera Denueve plays the confused Manon torn between a young but penniless lover and an older richer suitor whose generosity she finds very tempting... Ma Saisson Preferee An Andre Techine family drama starring Daniel Auteuil.
Grard Blain and Jean-Claude Brialy star in the first of their collaborations with the great Claude Chabrol. The director's masterful feature debut - ironic, funny, unsparing - is a revelation: another of that rare breed of film where the dusty formula might be used in full sincerity: Le Beau Serge marks the beginning of the Chabrol touch. In this first feature film of the French New Wave, one year before Truffaut's The Four Hundred Blows, the dandyish Franois (Brialy, of Godard's A Woman Is a Woman, Rohmer's Claire's Knee, and countless other cornerstones of 20th-century French cinema) takes a holiday from the city to his home village of Sardent, where he reconnects with his old chum Serge (Blain), now a besotted and hopeless alcoholic, and sly duplicitous carnal Marie (Bernadette Lafont). A grave triangle forms, and a tragic slide ensues. From Le Beau Serge onward up to his final film Bellamy in 2009, the revered Chabrol would come to leave a significant and lasting impression upon the French cinema - frequently with great commercial success. It is with great pride that we present Le Beau Serge, the kickstart of the Nouvelle Vague and of Chabrol's enormous body of work, on Blu-ray and DVD in the UK for the first time. Special Features: Gorgeous new Gaumont restoration of the film in its original aspect ratio New and improved English subtitles Original theatrical trailer A 56-minute documentary about the making of the film L'Avarice [Avarice], Chabrol's 1962 short film A lengthy booklet with a new and exclusive essay by critic Emmanuel Burdeau; excerpts of interviews and writing by Chabrol; and more
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