Sylvester Stallone never courted as much controversy as he did with the screen violence of the Rambo trilogy. From 1982 to 1988, they kept his name above Schwarzenegger's in the muscle hero league, with "Rambo" becoming a descriptive phrase in the language to describe gung-ho aggression (in Japanese, "rambo" means "violence"). The strangest part of the character's success is that originally he had none. Both David Morrell's novel and the original incarnation of First Blood had the Vietnam vet committing suicide after his rampage through small town America. The un-Hollywood ending was changed when Stallone and the producers recognised here was a character with possibilities. First Blood: Part II was co-written by James (Titanic) Cameron, a man who has always recognised box office possibilities. Stallone took a very relevant (to 1985) issue of surviving POWs and created an alternative end to the Vietnam War. This was achieved courtesy of the Cold War animosity that still existed towards the Russians, embodied in a suitably vile cameo from Steven Berkoff. A little love interest helped ground the movie and prevent it from completely turning into a video game, as did the best of Jerry Goldsmith's stirring scores for the trilogy. After saving himself and then his Country, Rambo III was simply about saving his friend Richard Crenna. The code of honour was by this point watered down into a song lyric, "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother". Nevertheless the final instalment continues to say something about the indomitable American spirit that will not accept defeat lightly. Patriotism may never have been portrayed quite so bloodily before Rambo's arrival, but at least a generation learned to question attitudes to war veterans, as well as the benefits of carrying a compass in your hunting knife. On the DVD: The Rambo trilogy on disc brings together all three movies in crisp 2.35:1 widescreen transfers. Sadly the extras are a little thin considering how much more was on the old Laser Discs. The first film has but a trailer; the third has a few minutes of behind the scenes material; the second has quite a few mini-documentaries that could really have done with being edited together, and having repeated interviews cut out. But there's still fun to be had hearing how deep and meaningful the movies were in conception.--Paul Tonks
It's easy to forget that this Spartan, violent film, which begat the Rambo series, was such a big hit in 1982 because it was a good movie. Green Beret vet John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) wanders into the wrong small town to find a fellow 'Nam buddy and gets the living heck kicked out of him by the local law enforcement (led by Brian Dennehy). The vet strikes back the only way he knows how, leading to a visceral, if unrealistic, flight and fight through the local mountains. Based on the 1972 novel by David Morrell, this film saved Stallone's then-foundering career and the Rambo character became the inspiration for countless political cartoons. But this film is Deliverance without the moral ambiguity. --Keith SimantonThe Rambo trilogy is also available on DVD as a complete set.
Mr. Brian Stimpson ran his life -- and everyone else's -- by the clock. Then one day at 2:09 and 43 seconds... The clock decided to strike back. In this hilarious comedy hit written by Michael Frayn (Noises Off) John Cleese stars as the compulsively punctual headmaster of a British high school. But on the day Stimpson is to give a major speech at a posh teachers conference he finds himself in a frantic cross-country chase filled with missed trains confused cops strange monks odd old ladies and stolen clothes. Can Stimpson make up for precious lost time or is the entire world conspiring to make him late for the most important appointment of his life?
Two young boys in Venice are befriended by a gang of young urchins and their enigmatic leader, the Thief Lord.
A ratings hit for eight seasons on CBS, the action-mystery series Magnum, P.I. makes its DVD boxed set debut in an impressive five-disc package that offers not only the entire first season, but some rarely seen episodes. Positioned in the old Hawaii Five-O time slot (Thursdays at 9) in December of 1980, Magnum quickly became a hit, thanks to the combination of smart and witty scripting, gorgeous locations, and the considerable charm of lead Tom Selleck as former Naval Intelligence officer Thomas Magnum, who gives up his position to become a private investigator on Oahu with the help of fellow Vietnam vets T.C. (Roger E. Mosley) and Rick (Larry Manetti). Magnum also provided security for the lavish estate of wealthy (and never-seen) mystery writer Robin Masters, which gave him access to the author's expensive vehicles (including a prized Ferrari), much to the disapproval of Masters's manservant Higgins (Jonathan Hillerman). A rare series that skillfully blended action, humor, drama, and suspense, Magnum, P.I.'s first season gets the boxed set treatment its fans have been hoping for, with all 18 first-season episodes (including the two-part pilot, "Don't Eat the Snow in Hawaii") included on four discs. The fifth disc contains four rarely shown bonus episodes, including season 3's "Ki'ls Don't Lie," which featured a crossover plot with Simon and Simon, as well as its conclusion ("Emeralds Are Not a Girl's Best Friend"), which kicked off S&S's second season; the latter episode has never been aired as part of Magnum's syndicated package, which is another reason for fans to pick up and enjoy this long-awaited set. --Paul Gaita
Ruthless lawyer Henry Turner is left an amnesiac after being shot when caught up in a store robbery. Trying to rebuild his life Henry must learn to walk again tie his shoelaces and become a better husband...
Hawaii's foremost moustache-wearing private investigator returns for another season of Magnum P.I. Thomas Magnum a former Naval Officer in Vietnam lives in the guest house of - strangely absent - millionaire author Robin Masters on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. However he finds himself forever under the watchful eye of Higgins ex-British Army and estate manager. In exchange for testing the estate's security he gets plenty of perks fore his Private investigation g
The final adventures of the oh so dapper John Steed and his sidekick Tara King. Episode titles include: Fog Who Was That Man I Saw You With Pandora Thingumajig Homicide And Old Lace Requiem Take-Over Bizarre
Based on the autobiography of former criminal Jimmy Boyle 1979's A SENSE OF FREEDOM was one of the most controversial and influential dramas of its time. Directed by John Mackenzie (The Long Good Friday) and featuring the camerawork of Oscar-winning cinematographer Chris Menges (The Mission; The Killing Fields) it was justifiably hailed by critics and the public alike for its unflinching depiction of prison life and criminal rehabilitation. A SENSE OF FREEDOM tells the moving and ultimately uplifting story of Jimmy Boyle. Born and bred on the tough streets of Glasgow's notorious Gorbals area Boyle followed in his criminal father's footsteps to become one of the city's most well-known and most violent racketeering hardmen. His life of crime came to a sudden end in the late 1960s when he was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of a rival gangster. Incarcerated in the controversial special rehabilitation unit of Glasgow's infamous Barlinnie Prison Boyle discovers the meaning of rough justice when full of rage and hostility he attempts to take on the prison system and the authority of the wardens in the only way he knows how. Slowly and painfully he comes to realise there is more to life than violence and crime as he begins the long process of turning his life around. An extremely powerful film A SENSE OF FREEDOM perfectly illustrates the futility and severe brutality of life behind bars. It is also a deeply moving testament to the strength of the human spirit and a reminder that in life it is never too late to change for the better. Starring David Hayman (Trial And Retribution) and Fulton Mackay (Porridge) the film features original music by legendary blues artists Frankie Miller and Rory Gallagher.
For the first time on DVD the US series which was a prequel to M*A*S*H is based on the memoirs of Major Greg ""Pappy"" Boyington who led one of the most famous marine corps fighter squadron. They were collection of misfits and screwballs who became terrors of the South Pacific. Episodes Comprise: 1. Flying Misfits 2. Best Three Out of Five 3. Small War 4. High Jinx 5. Prisoners of War 6. Presumed Dead 7. The Meatball Circus 8. Up For Grabs 9. Anyone For Suicid
A farce set in an old hospital that alarmingly resembles Britain at its most chaotic. Everything starts to go wrong when the medical administrators are faced with a threatened strike angry scenes and a Royal visit.
When New York animator Coles (Ruffalo) meets Sam (Stange) the attraction is immediate. And when Sam invites her hot friend Thea (Robertson) to bed with them it's a dream come true...until ugly secrets destroy the carefree threesome. Ten years later their very different lives converge again and Coles realizes how much he still loves Sam but can he risk everything to tell her the naked truth?
A voodoo priestess brings her brother back to life so he can kill her cousin's bride. The confused zombie kills the wrong woman and is bought back to life a second time to try and finish the deed.
Two shoplifters find themselves thrown together for an adventure. Seth a thief and Marcy a girl suffering from Tourette Syndrome set off for Toronto where Marcy hopes to find a special doll.
A Sense Of Freedom
This fantastic TV Classic Comedy Box Set will provide a feast of laughter with movie versions of some of the most popular sitcoms ever made. The set comprises movie versions of Rising Damp Porridge George and Mildred Bless This House and Please Sir.
A satanic voodoo priestess raises the dead commanding them to bring her live victims ripe for sacrifice in this sickening chiller.
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