"Actor: John M"

• Ealing Comedy DVD Collection - The Ladykillers/Kind Hearts and Coronets/The Lavender Hill Mob/The Man in the White Suit | DVD | (02/09/2002) from £32.99   |  Saving you £-17.00 (N/A%)   |  RRP £15.99

  Four of the British film industry's best-loved comedies in one box set makes The Ealing Comedy Collection absolutely essential for anyone who has any passion at all for movies. The set contains Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949), The Lavender Hill Mob (1951), The Man in the White Suit (1951) and The Ladykillers (1955). Ealing's greatest comedies captured the essence of post-war Britain, both in their evocation of a land once blighted by war but now rising doggedly and optimistically again from the ashes, and in their mordant yet graceful humour. They portray a country with an antiquated class system whose crumbling conventions are being undermined by a new spirit of individual opportunism. In the delightfully wicked Kind Hearts and Coronets, a serial killer politely murders his way into the peerage; in The Lavender Hill Mob a put-upon bank clerk schemes to rob his employers; The Man in the White Suit is a harshly satirical depiction of idealism crushed by the status quo; while The Ladykillers mocks both the criminals and the authorities with its unlikely octogenarian heroine Mrs "lop-sided" Wilberforce. Many factors contribute to the success of these films--including fine music scores from composers such as Benjamin Frankel (Man in the White Suit) and Tristram Cary (The Ladykillers); positively symphonic sound effects (White Suit); marvellously evocative locations (the environs of King's Cross in Ladykillers, for example); and writing that always displays Ealing's unique perspective on British social mores ("All the exuberance of Chaucer without, happily, any of the concomitant crudities of his period")--yet arguably their greatest asset is Alec Guinness, whose multifaceted performances are the keystone upon which Ealing built its biting, often macabre, yet always elegant comedy. On the DVD: The Ealing Comedy Collection presents the four discs in a fold-out package with postcards of the original poster artwork for each. Aside from theatrical trailers on each disc there are no extra features, which is a pity given the importance of these films. The Ladykillers is in muted Technicolor and presented in 1.66:1 ratio, the three earlier films are all black and white 1.33:1. Sound is perfectly adequate mono throughout. --Mark Walker

• Gregory's Two Girls | DVD | (27/07/2009) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £15.99

  'Gregory's 2 Girls' is part thriller, part romantic comedy and finds Gregory still dreaming his way through life and still looking for romance.

• The Jackal | DVD | (21/07/2003) from £7.44   |  Saving you £8.55 (114.92%)   |  RRP £15.99

  Bruce Willis is The Jackal - the greatest assassin in history - out to eliminate a top U.S. government official. Declan Mulqueen an imprisoned underground operative is the only man who can stop him. Now the Deputy Director of the FBI is taking the biggest risk of all . . . he's releasing one criminal to stop another in this terrifically explosive totally intrigueing suspense thriller.

• The Many Saints of Newark | DVD | (13/12/2021) from £6.80   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  The Many Saints of Newark is the muchanticipated feature film prequel to the groundbreaking, awardwinning HBO drama series The Sopranos. Young Anthony Soprano is growing up in the explosive era of the Newark's riots, becoming a man just as rival gangsters begin to rise up and challenge the all-powerful DiMeo crime family's hold over the increasingly race-torn city. Caught up in the changing times is the uncle he idolizes, Dickie Moltisanti, who struggles to manage both his professional and personal responsibilitiesand whose influence over his nephew will help make the impressionable teenager into the all-powerful mob boss we'll later come to know: Tony Soprano.

• The Bone Collector | DVD | (07/08/2000) from £5.24   |  Saving you £17.75 (338.74%)   |  RRP £22.99

  Released in late 1999, The Bone Collector was originally promoted as a thriller in the tradition of The Silence of the Lambs and Seven, suggesting that it would earn a place among those earlier, better films. Nice try, but no cigar. The Bone Collector settles instead for mere competence and the modest rewards of a well-handled formula. With a terrific cast at his service, director Phillip Noyce (Dead Calm, Patriot Games) turns the pulpy indulgence of Jeffery Deaver's novel into a slick potboiler that is grisly fun only if you don't pick it apart. Noyce expertly builds palpable tension around a series of gruesome murders that lead us into the darkest nooks of New York City. Now a bedridden quadriplegic prone to life-threatening seizures and suicidal depression, forensics detective Lincoln Rhyme (Denzel Washington) gets a new lease on life with a sharp young beat cop (Angelina Jolie) who's a wizard at analyzing crime scenes. She does field work while he deciphers clues from his high-tech Manhattan loft, and as they narrow the search their lives are increasingly endangered. As this formulaic plot grows mouldy, Noyce resorts to narrative shortcuts, using perfunctory scenes to manipulate the viewer and taking morbid pleasure in his revelation of the murder scenes. And yet it all works, to a point, and the cast (including Queen Latifah and Luiz Guzmán) is much better than the material. If you're looking for a few good thrills, The Bone Collector is a pretty safe bet. --Jeff Shannon, Amazon.com

• Scala!!! (Blu-ray) | Blu Ray | (22/01/2024) from £18.75   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  Archive footage, eye-popping movie clips, acid-crazed animation and some famous names collide to tell the story of London's infamous, influential Scala cinema. With its cracked marble floors, resident cats and mysterious, extrasensory rumblings, the Scala was magic and a refuge from the violence of Thatcher's Britain. Hilarious, irreverent, and ultimately heartbreaking with a fabulous original score by Barry Adamson, SCALA!!! is more than mere nostalgia, it's an X-rated love letter and a universal shout-out to the power of cinemas to inspire impressionable young minds and create a sense of community for outsiders. A place where everyone is welcome. Product Features Presented in High Definition Audio feature commentary by directors Jane Giles and Ali Catterall (2023) Best of the Rest (Jane Giles and Ali Catterall, 2023): essential outtakes from SCALA!!! Scala (Michael Clifford, 1990, 30 mins) an intimate portrait of the cinema in its later years, originally made for Cable London Scala (Ali Peck and Victor de Jesus, 1992, 3 mins): the Scala's projectionist at work The Incredibly Strange Film Show Sampler (tbc mins): essential Psychotronic interviews with some Scala-favourite filmmakers Osbert Parker's Animations (2023): animations from the film Davey Jones animations (2023): the Viz cartoonist creates a piece of artwork for the film Festival Introduction (2023, 13 mins) Jane Giles and Ali Catterall's London film Festival introduction Scala Programmes (2023) Jane Giles selects favourite Scala programmes Cabinet of Curiosities (2023): images, ephemera and true stories from the cinema's history Theatrical trailer Audio description for the blind and visually impaired **FIRST PRESSING ONLY** Illustrated booklet featuring a statement from the directors, new writing on the film and archive writing about the Scala

• Rush Hour 2 | DVD | (24/12/2001) from £5.03   |  Saving you £14.96 (297.42%)   |  RRP £19.99

  The unlikely duo of Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker are reunited in this sequel. This time round their investigations take them from Hong Kong to L.A.

• Thief Of Baghdad | DVD | (19/06/2006) from £7.39   |  Saving you £2.60 (35.18%)   |  RRP £9.99

  This wondrous fantasy comes out of the pages of ""A Thousand and One Nights."" When the nefarious Jaffar usurps the Sultan's throne the princess's beloved suitor Ahmad and the strong and handsome thief Abu use magic to help the king regain power. To defeat them Jaffar causes Ahmad to go blind and turns Abu into a dog. But the heroes overcome these adversities and conquer many other mortal dangers before reclaiming the kingdom. The Thief of Bagdad made quite an impact on the

• Grange Hill BBC TV Series 9 & 10 Boxed Set (8-Discs) (DVD) | DVD | (19/10/2020) from £15.99   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  New pupils Eric ˜Ziggy' Greaves, Danny Kendall, Georgina Hayes & Ant Jones are amongst the fresh faces piling through the Grange Hill gates & Zammo makes some bad decisions when he should ˜Just Say No'. This boxed set features all 48 episodes from series 9 & 10, originally broadcast in 1986 & 1987. ALSO INCLUDED for the very first time The 1985 Christmas Special Episode (First broadcast 27th December 1985 Pre-Series 9). Grange Hill Series 9 synopsis First Broadcast on 1st April 1986 Zammo's behaviour becomes increasingly erratic & it's Roland who eventually discovers the shocking truth. The thorny subject of smoking is tackled with new student Danny Kendall taking every opportunity for a crafty cigarette. This leads pupils to set up an anti-smoking campaign, which also targets the teachers!! In other news the ever entrepreneurial Gonch serves up his latest money-making scheme, anyone for a slice of toast?? Grange Hill Series 10 synopsis First Broadcast on 6th January 1987 Imelda Davis continues her campaign of carnage & bullying, creating difficulties for pupils & teachers alike. It's a tough year for Danny Kendall as he battles cancer. Roland starts up a School Fund to help pay for his treatment. A sixth form barge trip is certainly eventful as Gonch, Ziggy, Rob & Trevor first manage to crash the boat, then send it floating off on its own with stowaway (& former Grange Hill pupil) Ant Jones inside. The school gets its own radio station; Zammo & Jackie get engaged; & what will happen to Harriett the Donkey ? Special Feature: 1985 Christmas Special Episode - First broadcast on 27th December 1985 The School Christmas Fayre preparations are underway. Roland faces Christmas alone & Calley can't decide which of her parents to spend the festive season with. At the Fayre Zammo & Banksie's shaky hand machine proves popular, as does the wet sponge stall (especially with Mr Baxter as the target!!). Gonch & Hollo unwittingly unleash pandemonium when they unlock a storeroom & a donkey runs out. Merry Christmas everyone!!

• The Old Grey Whistle Test -- Two Disc Set | DVD | (17/09/2001) from £9.35   |  Saving you £15.64 (167.27%)   |  RRP £24.99

  For better and for worse, The Old Grey Whistle Test was probably the most resolutely serious music programme ever broadcast on television. During its 16-year run it showcased only the most earnest exponents of whichever musical style was currently popular, and given that the programme's heyday coincided with the early 70s, some of the footage included here will provide mirth as exquisite as only unintentional comedy can. The absurd prog noodlings of The Edgar Winter Group and the belief-beggaringly awful Focus now seem as unfathomable in retrospect as trench warfare or child labour. However, the good stuff collected here is very good, both in terms of performance (Tom Petty snarling "American Girl", a pre-irony U2 whooping up "I Will Follow") and historical interest, notably a shockingly youthful Elton John crooning "Tiny Dancer" and reminding us, in the process, of a time when he was regarded as a cool and hip singer-songwriter, rather than understudy to the Queen Mother. --Andrew Mueller On the DVD: Wonderful performances all captured in remarkably pristine picture and extraordinarily vivid sound, regardless of vintage (it doesn't even crackle during "Hocus Pocus"!). However, the menu is pretty clunky and won't allow direct access to the individual songs (other than selecting the "Random play" option). Instead, you can only jump into the programme year by year, not song by song. The track listing itself is unhelpfully hidden behind the discs in the gatefold packaging. --Mark Walker

• Juliet Bravo - Series 6 | DVD | (29/09/2008) from £149.90   |  Saving you £-119.91 (N/A%)   |  RRP £29.99

  Kate Longton (Anna Carteret) continues her stewardship of the Lancashire police force plotting a tricky course through the pitfalls of force politics and rising crime on the streets... Episodes Comprise: 1. Hostage To Fortune 2. Scab 3. Chasing The dragon 4. Talk To me 5. Friends And Neighbours 6. The Cut 7. Keys 8. Flesh And Blood 9. Unlawful Arrest 10. Inspection 11. We Are The People 12. Turbulence 13. Girl Talk 14. Jobs For The boys 15. In A Man's World 16. Reason For Leaving.

• The Hard Way | DVD | (05/06/2006) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £5.99

  Michael J. Fox and James Woods team up for hilarious action-adventure from director John Badham. Nick Lang (Fox) is a popular actor who seeks out obsessive detective Moss (Woods) in order to research a new part and break out of his 'nice guy' screen image. On the trail of a ruthless serial killer the last thing Moss needs is a pampered Hollywood sidekick...

• Robocop 3 | DVD | (24/01/2000) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Early on in Robocop 3, an action figure of our metal hero on the nightstand in a little girl's room informs us that he's now become a children's toy. The image is right on the money; despite following up two of the most violent, hilarious sci-fi/action films ever made, Robocop 3 is strictly for the kiddies. It's not just that the gore has been toned down considerably to make for a PG-13 rating; also excised is the straight-faced portrait of a world run by corporate fascism. When evil corporation OCP, and its even more evil Japanese parent company, plan to raze a Detroit neighbourhood to put up the shining new Delta City, the residents (including the aforementioned adolescent, who conveniently happens to be a computer expert) gang up to fight back, just like the angry neighbours in Death Wish V. Robocop (played this time out by Robert John Burke, Peter Weller having wisely passed) could be a hindrance to the companies' plans, so a ninja android is sent in to deal with him. Even all this could have been enjoyable, in a campy sort of way, but nothing pays off as either comedy or action--tellingly, the two big showdowns with the ninja start exhilaratingly (Robocop's clunky movements hilariously counterpoised by the android's acrobatic leaps), only to end just when they're getting good. Director Fred Dekker has some nice stylistic touches scattered about, but not nearly enough to save the film. One high note, though: the animated "Johnny Rehab" spot may be the funniest ad in the whole series. --Bruce Reid, Amazon.com

• Presumed Innocent | DVD | (26/07/1999) from £6.99   |  Saving you £7.00 (100.14%)   |  RRP £13.99

  Rich with ambiguity, this smooth adaptation of Scott Turow's bestselling mystery novel stars Harrison Ford as Rusty Sabich, the prosecuting attorney assigned to a case involving the murder of a beautiful, seductive lawyer (Greta Scacchi) with whom he'd been having a secret affair. After the investigation gets off to a slow start, damning evidence points to Rusty as the prime suspect. His career is destroyed when his superior and secondary suspect Raymond Horgan (Brian Dennehy) sets him up for the fall. Bonnie Bedelia plays Rusty's wife Barbara, who is not above suspicion herself. While Ford's performance rides a fine line between presumed innocence and possible guilt, director Alan J Pakula (All the President's Men) maintains a consistent tone of uncertainty that keeps the viewer guessing. --Jeff Shannon, Amazon.com

• BMX Bandits | DVD | (23/04/2007) from £15.96   |  Saving you £-9.97 (N/A%)   |  RRP £5.99

  Most notable for being the debut feature of 17-year-old Academy Award winner Nicole Kidman BMX Bandits is also one of the best-loved and most fondly remembered children's films of the 1980s and is now available on DVD for the first time in the UK. Packed with amazing BMX action from rad wheelies to awesome airs chases slapstick humour and crazy adventure this madcap caper inspired an entire generation of kids across the world to get out on their bikes and let loose. More

• Land of the Dead (2005) | DVD | (26/12/2005) from £5.93   |  Saving you £15.32 (328.05%)   |  RRP £19.99

  The zombies are back and they're still hungry in this horror from maestro George A. Romero.

• A Nightmare On Elm Street | DVD | (23/10/2006) from £13.15   |  Saving you £6.84 (52.02%)   |  RRP £19.99

  From modern horror master Wes Craven comes a timeless shocker that remains the standard bearer for terror. Nancy (Heather Langenkamp) is having grisly nightmares. Meanwhile her high-school friends who are having the very same dreams are being slaughtered in their sleep by the hideous fiend of their shared nightmares. When the police ignore her explanation she herself must confront the killer in his shadowy realm. Featuring John Saxon with Johnny Depp in his first starring role and mind-bending special effects this horror classic gave birth to one of the most infamous undead villains in cinematic history: Freddy Krueger...

• Barbarella (1968) | Blu Ray | (30/07/2012) from £8.95   |  Saving you £11.04 (123.35%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Barbarella is marked by the same audacity and originality, fantasy, humor, beauty and horror, cruelty and eroticism that make comic books such a favorite. The setting is the planet Lythion in the year 40,000, when Barbarella (Jane Fonda) makes a forced landing while traveling through space. She acts like a female James Bond, vanquishing evil in the forms of robots and monsters. She also rewards, in an uninhibited manner, the handsome men who assist her in the adventure. Whether she is wrestling with Black Guards, the evil Queen, or the Angel Pygar, she just can't seem to avoid losing at least part of her skin-tight space suit!

• Fierce Creatures | DVD | (14/04/2003) from £6.24   |  Saving you £3.75 (60.10%)   |  RRP £9.99

  In an attempt to catch lightning in a bottle, John Cleese wrote Fierce Creatures with the purpose of reuniting the comedic cast of A Fish Called Wanda. Media mogul (Kevin Kline) owns a London zoo. He demands that the park raise more profit, so the new zoo director (Cleese) orders that only dangerous animals be displayed in order to maximize ticket sales. In a dual role, Kline also plays the mogul's son, who plans to run the zoo with the help of displaced employees (including Michael Palin) and zoo programmer Willa Weston (Jamie Lee Curtis). The situation lends itself to comedic confusion and split-second timing, and for a few good laughs the film is a pretty safe bet. It's not as hilarious as A Fish Called Wanda (that's a pretty tall order), but Cleese knows comedy, and his efforts are worth a look. --Jeff Shannon, Amazon.com

• Bicentennial Man | DVD | (06/03/2006) from £12.00   |  Saving you £-6.01 (N/A%)   |  RRP £5.99

  From director Chris Columbus comes this original funny and heart-warming film. When Richard Martin (Sam Neill) introduced a robot named Andrew (Robin Williams) to the family nobody expects anything more than an ordinary household appliance. But this is no ordinary robot! Andrew is a unique machine with real emotions a sense of humour and a burning curiosity to discover what it means to be human. Over the course of his service with the Martins spanning two hundred years and several