If you were to argue Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein ranks among the top-10 funniest movies of all time, nobody could reasonably dispute the claim. Spoofing classic horror in the way that Brooks' previous film Blazing Saddles sent up classic Westerns, the movie is both a loving tribute and a raucous, irreverent parody of Universal's classic horror films Frankenstein (1931) and Bride of Frankenstein (1935). Filming in glorious black and white, Brooks recreated the Frankenstein laboratory using the equipment from the original Frankenstein (courtesy of designer Kenneth Strickfaden), and this loving attention to physical and stylistic detail creates a solid foundation for non-stop comedy. The story, of course, involves Frederick Frankenstein (Gene Wilder) and his effort to resume experiments in re-animation pioneered by his late father. (He's got some help, since dad left behind a book titled How I Did It.) Assisting him is the hapless hunchback Igor (Marty Feldman) and the buxom but none-too-bright maiden Inga (Teri Garr), and when Frankenstein succeeds in creating his monster (Peter Boyle), the stage is set for an outrageous revision of the Frankenstein legend. With comedy highlights too numerous to mention, Brooks guides his brilliant cast (also including Cloris Leachman, Madeline Kahn, Kenneth Mars and Gene Hackman in a classic cameo role) through scene after scene of inspired hilarity. Indeed, Young Frankenstein is a charmed film, nothing less than a comedy classic, representing the finest work from everyone involved. Not one joke has lost its payoff, and none of the countless gags have lost their zany appeal. From a career that includes some of the best comedies ever made, this is the film for which Mel Brooks will be most fondly remembered. No video library should be without a copy of Young Frankenstein. And just remember--it's pronounced "Fronkensteen". --Jeff Shannon
Limited Comic Book, Only Whilst Stocks Last. A young Peter Parker/Spider-Man (Tom Holland), who made his sensational debut in Captain American: Civil War, begins to naviagate his newfound identity as the web-slinging super hero in Spider-Man: Homecoming. Thrilled by his experience with the Avengers, Peter returns home, where he lives with his Aunt May (Marisa Tomei), under the watchful eye of his new mentor Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.). Peter tries to fall back into his normal daily routine - distracted by thoughts of proving himself to be more than just your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man - but when the Vulture (Michael Keaton) emerges as a new villain, everything that Peter holds most important will be threatened. Click Images to Enlarge
Star Wars: A New Hope Luke Skywalker begins a journey that will change the galaxy. Young farm boy Luke Skywalker is thrust into a galaxy of adventure when he intercepts a distress call from the captive Princess Leia. The event launches him on a daring mission to rescue her from the clutches of Darth Vader and the Evil Empire. Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back Discover the conflict between good and evil. The Rebels scatter after the Empire attacks their base on the ice planet Hoth. Han Solo and Princess Leia are pursued by Imperials, while Luke trains with Jedi Master Yoda. Luke battles Darth Vader and learns the shocking truth of his past. Star Wars: Return of The Jedi Experience the triumph of the force. The Empire prepares to crush the Rebellion with a more powerful Death Star. The Rebel fleet counters with a massive attack on the space station. Luke Skywalker confronts Darth Vader in a final climactic duel. Product Features Star Wars: A New Hope Filmmaker And Cast Audio Commentary Cast And Crew Archival Audio Commentary Conversations: Creating A Universe Discoveries From Inside: Weapons & The First Lightsaber Documentary: Anatomy Of A Dewback Cast Interviews Extended And Deleted Scenes And Much More Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back Filmmaker And Cast Audio Commentary Cast And Crew Archival Audio Commentary Conversations: The Lost Interviews Documentary: A Conversation With The Masters Filmmaker Interviews Extended And Deleted Scenes Discoveries From Inside: Matte Paintings Unveiled And Much More! Star Wars: Return of The Jedi Filmmaker And Cast Audio Commentary Cast And Crew Archival Audio Commentary Conversations: The Effects Discoveries From Inside: The Sounds Of Ben Burtt Documentary: Classic Creatures Cast And Crew Interviews Extended And Deleted Scenes And Much More!
Take The Full Monty, add a sharper emotional edge and replace the strutting strippers with a dignified British band. That's the essence of Brassed Off, a bittersweet gem released in 1996, a year before its more popular (and Oscar-nominated) counterpart. In the Yorkshire town of Grimley, there has always been a coal mine, just as for the last 111 years there has been a brass band and it seems that Danny (the wondrous Pete Postlethwaite) has been the director for every one of those years. Tory economic policies, however, are closing coal mines around the country in favour of nuclear power and Grimley appears to be next on the list. Danny is unfazed by the threat, claiming, "It's music that matters." But some of the men are about to quit the band until the appearance of Gloria (Tara Fitzgerald at her most radiant), who dazzles the all-male group (including old flame Andy, played by Ewan McGregor) first with her beauty, then with her flügelhorn playing. The new member gives the band a boost as they continue to perform and compete but closure remains very real, as director Mark Herman (Little Voice) accompanies the band's performances (played with gusto by the Grimethorpe Colliery Band) with scenes of angry labour-management confrontations and family strife. In this context, some of the characters claim that the music is an irresponsible form of escapism. It becomes clear, however, from a touching performance of "Danny Boy" to the stirring conclusion at Royal Albert Hall, that music is an expression of the human spirit, a bit of beauty and sanity in a harsh world. With defiance, the band can play "Land of Hope and Glory" even when the land offers them neither. --David Horiuchi
As enjoyable now as it was when it was originally released at the start of the 90s, Alan Parkers The Commitments is the tale of an Irish soul band, from start through to very messy finish. There are several reasons why it works so well. The first is a corking script by Roddy Doyle (who wrote the book the film is based on) in conjunction with British sitcom legends Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais (Dads Army, among many other credits). Extremely witty and the rock-solid foundation for the film, the script is then enhanced by a selection of super performances from then-unknown actors (most of whom have never enjoyed the same success again). And then theres the factor that the film is most fondly remembered for, the quite brilliant music. Not for nothing did The Commitments generate two top-selling soundtrack albums, and the inspired choice of classic numbers are as enjoyable to hear now as they were then. From "Mustang Sally" and "Chain of Fools" through to the quite sublime take on "Try A Little Tenderness", you wouldnt say the music makes the film, but it does significantly lift it. In short, The Commitments is a film that time has been kind to, and one that remains as downright entertaining and enjoyable as it always was. This Special Edition DVD is a great way to get into it all over again --Simon Brew
You know the story: Cinderella rides in a magical pumpkin to the ball, enchants the prince and flees at midnight. He finds her slipper and tracks her down, and they live happily ever after. But wait! In The Slipper and the Rose, it turns out there's more to the life of a prince than being charming. The king prefers to choose the prince's wife, one of proper social station who would provide a strong political alliance to ward off the kingdom's enemies. That's one of the twists in this 1976 British take on the classic fairy tale, one of a long line of musical versions. The disgruntled prince, who's as much of a focal point here as the lady with the footwear, is played by Richard Chamberlain, during the years when he was taking on the classics and had not yet been crowned king of the TV mini-series. He displays a pleasant voice opposite Gemma Craven as Cinderella, and veteran character actor Michael Hordern as the king leads the supporting ensemble. Add lavish sets and lush scenery (partially filmed in Austria), humour, fun choreography, and an Oscar-nominated score full of charming songs by Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman (veterans of such Disney movies as Mary Poppins and The Jungle Book, and who also co-wrote the script with director Bryan Forbes), and you have a grand, engaging family musical. The 143-minute running time and dreamy, deliberate pace might test the patience of antsy viewers, but The Slipper and the Rose's legion of fans wouldn't have it any other way. --David Horiuchi, Amazon.com
Jack Ryan as a young covert CIA analyst uncovers a Russian plot to crash the U.S. economy with a terrorist attack.
Adapted from the novel of the same name by J L Carr, A Month in the Country, is set during a 1920s summer in rural Yorkshire. Tom Birkin (Colin Firth), a destitute World War I veteran coming to terms with the after-effects of the war, has been employed by a village church to carry out restoration work on a medieval mural. During his time in the slow-paced village, Birkin forms a close friendship with archaeologist James Moon (Kenneth Branagh), a fellow veteran who is also emotionally scarred following the conflict. The film follows Birkin as he settles into village life, forming romantic relationships and bonding with families and locals. Neglected after its initial 1987 cinema release, the film features a score by Howard Blake (The Snowman, The Avengers) and is notable for its strong British cast which also includes Natasha Richardson, Patrick Malahide and Jim Carter.
""Everything in Salem's Lot is connected to that house. You can see it from every part of the town. It's like a beacon throwing off an energy force."" - Ben Mears (David Soul) At last! Salem's Lot the 1979 horror mini-series from 1979 gets the much-desired DVD treatment. Based on Stephen King's terrifying vampire novel Tobe Hooper's cult movie is a supernatural journey into the strange world of the titular town and its oddball inhabitants. Ben Mears (Soul) returns to
Anthony Andrews plays a young Lt. in the early days of World War II who is assigned to a UXB unit. UXB is the signal that an aerial bomb has not exploded. Andrews' job is to deactivate bombs made by German technicians some of which have fuses specifically designed to kill him. The series takes us through his maturation as an officer a love story with Judy Geeson and the stresses and strains of wartime on the civilians and military in England. Episodes Comprise: 1. Dead Ma
Despite its manipulative grandiosity, this film is completely irresistible, for several reasons: it recounts the greatest air battle in history, creating the greatest aerial battle scenes in film history; it has a terrific cast (Harry Andrews, Michael Caine, Trevor Howard, Curt Jurgens, Laurence Olivier, Nigel Patrick, Christopher Plummer, Michael Redgrave, Ralph Richardson, Robert Shaw, Patrick Wymark and Edward Fox); and it's technically very well made, thanks to the Bond team of producer Harry Saltzman and director Guy Hamilton and the great cinematographer Freddie Young. --Bill Desowitz
In post-World War II Venice, Poirot, now retired and living in his own exile, reluctantly attends a seance. But when one of the guests is murdered, it is up to the former detective to once again uncover the killer. Product Features FEATURETTE: Murder, Death, and Haunting. DELETED SCENES : Morning Routine, The Doge's Palace, Halloween Party Extended, Desdemona's Warning, Children's Story, Poirot Needs Air, Guarding the Gates, Secret Doorway Extended, Ferrier's Shouts, Poirot Pauses for Thought, Journey Home
For devoted fans and nonfans alike, Spider-Man offers nothing less--and nothing more--than what you'd expect from a superhero blockbuster. Having proven his comic-book savvy with the original Darkman, director Sam Raimi brings ample energy and enthusiasm to Spidey's origin story, nicely establishing high-school nebbish Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) as a brainy outcast who reacts with appropriate euphoria--and well-tempered maturity--when a "super-spider" bite transforms him into the amazingly agile, web-shooting Spider-Man. That's all well and good, and so is Kirsten Dunst as Parker's girl-next-door sweetheart. Where Spider-Man falls short is in its hyperactive CGI action sequences, which play like a video game instead of the gravity-defying exploits of a flesh-and-blood superhero. Willem Dafoe is perfectly cast as Spidey's schizoid nemesis, the Green Goblin, and the movie's a lot of fun overall. It's no match for Superman and Batman in bringing a beloved character to the screen, but it places a respectable third. --Jeff Shannon
Filmed in 1968 and set in British India in 1895, Carry On Up the Khyber is one of the team's most memorable efforts. Sid James plays Sid James as ever, though nominally his role is that of Sir Sidney Ruff-Diamond, the unflappable British Governor who must deal with the snakelike, scheming Khasi of Khalabar, played by Kenneth Williams. A crisis occurs when the mystique of the "devils in skirts" of the 3rd Foot and Mouth regiment is exploded when one of their number, the sensitive-to-draughts Charles Hawtrey, is discovered by the natives to be wearing underpants. Revolt is in the offing, with Bernard Bresslaw once again playing a seething native warrior. Roy Castle neatly plays the sort of role normally assigned to Jim Dale, as the ineffectual young officer, Peter Butterworth is a splendid compromised evangelist, while Terry Scott puts his comedic all into the role of the gruff Sergeant. Most enduring, however, is the final dinner party sequence in which the British contingent, with the Burpas at the gates of the compound, and plaster falling all about them, demonstrate typical insouciance in the face of imminent peril. The "I'm Backing Britain" Union Jack hoist at the end, however, over-excitedly reveals the streak of reactionary patriotism that lurked beneath the bumbling double-entendres of most Carry On films. --David Stubbs
THE PEOPLE V. O.J. SIMPSON: AMERICAN CRIME STORY is a limited series that takes you inside the O.J. Simpson trial with a riveting look at the legal teams battling to convict or acquit the football legend of double homicide. Based on the book The Run of His Life: The People v. O.J. Simpson by Jeffrey Toobin, it explores the chaotic, behind-the-scenes dealings and maneuvering on both sides of the court, and how a combination of prosecution overconfidence, defense shrewdness and the LAPD's history with the city's African-American community gave a jury what it needed: reasonable doubt.
When five children are forced to stay in the dilapidated mansion of their very odd uncle, they discover an 8,000-year-old sand fairy who can grant a wish per day and experience the summer of their lives.
Available for a limited time only! Three years after the events in Episode IV - A New Hope Imperial forces continue to pursue the rebels. After the rebellion's defeat on the ice planet Hoth Luke journeys to the planet Dagobah to train with Jedi Master Yoda who has lived in hiding since the fall of the Republic. In an attempt to convert Luke to the Dark Side Darth Vader lures young Skywalker into a trap in the Cloud City of Bespin...
The year is 1613, Shakespeare is acknowledged as the greatest writer of the age. But disaster strikes when his renowned Globe Theatre burns to the ground, and devastated, Shakespeare returns to Stratford, where he must face a troubled past anda neglected family. Haunted by the death of his only son Hamnet, he struggles to mend the broken relationships with his wife and daughters. In so doing, he is ruthlessly forced to examine his own failings as husband and father. His very personal search for the truth uncovers secrets and lies within a family at war.
Dunkirk opens as hundreds of thousands of British and Allied troops are surrounded by enemy forces. Trapped on the beach with their backs to the sea, they face an impossible situation as the enemy closes in.
While it's true that this 1959 screen adaptation of The 39 Steps pales in comparison to Alfred Hitchcock's seminal 1935 version, it's still a thoroughly enjoyable romp that compensates for a lack of any tension whatsoever with a generous dose of genial good humour. Affable Kenneth More's Richard Hannay more closely resembles the kind of roles Cary Grant was playing for Hitch in the late 1950s; Finnish blonde Taina Elg, in the somewhat unlikely role of a prim Scottish schoolmistress, is his love interest. Although handcuffed together, More and Elg fail to radiate any sexual chemistry, even when scandalously forced to share a room and a bed. Much better are the delightful cameos: Sid James as a roguish lorry driver; Brenda De Banzie as voluptuous psychic Nellie; and Joan Hickson as a simpering teacher. As a thriller it's hardly in the same league as North by Northwest, but as a window on life in England and Scotland in the 1950s, this 39 Steps has much to recommend it. --Mark Walker
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