"Actor: Matthew D"

• Sheryl Crow - Rockin' The Globe - Live | DVD | (27/03/2000) from £8.68   |  Saving you £6.31 (42.10%)   |  RRP £14.99

  Sheryl Crow fans looking for a straightforward concert video can't go wrong with this 83-minute set, recorded in Detroit during the Globe Sessions tour of early 1999. Appearing in black leather pants and a black string-strap top, Cheryl is poised and professional, driving through 15 songs (nine from The Globe Sessions) with studio-set precision, despite the handicap of a receptive but oddly lifeless audience. (Perhaps the Motor City was merely idling that night.) Moving from acoustic guitar to bass, electric guitar, harmonica (on "It Don't Hurt"), and finally piano (for an exquisite rendition of "Home"), the Grammy winner makes it clear that she's as musically skilled as she is drop-dead gorgeous. Accompanied by a flawless six-piece band (with honorable mentions to guitarist Peter Stroud and violinist Lorenza Ponce), Crow rocks when it's time to rock (the climactic jam on "Riverwide" and "If It Makes You Happy" being standouts), but her strength remains in the more delicate passages of "Am I Getting Through", "The Kind", "Stong Enough", and the aforementioned "Home", an encore visually enhanced by rural images projected on an upstage scrim. Crow dedicates the set-closing rocker "Mississippi" to Bob Dylan, and even if a few favoured hits are not included, this remains a noteworthy performance. Camera coverage is slick and editing tight, and while VHS viewers will likely be satisfied, the DTS DVD is mildly problematic, failing to achieve the "you-are-there" dynamics that videophiles have a right to expect. Fortunately, the concert itself is not compromised; the recording is crisp and carefully mixed. Crow no doubt had more lively gigs during this particular tour, but with an accommodating stage and a first-rate band in good spirits, this was a pretty good night to have the cameras around. --Jeff Shannon, Amazon.com

• South Park: The Complete First Season | Blu Ray | (05/12/2017) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

• Failure To Launch/How To Lose A Guy In Ten Days | DVD | (17/07/2006) from £13.48   |  Saving you £11.51 (46.10%)   |  RRP £24.99

  Failure To Launch (Dir. Tom Dey 2006): Matthew McConaughey is Tripp a 35 year old who still lives with his parents. And who can blame him? It's free he's got a great room and mom (Kathy Bates) does the laundry. Desperate to get him out of the house his parents hire a gorgeous woman Paula (Sarah Jessica Parker) to give him a little...push. They just didn't expect Tripp would push back! In this romantic battle of wills there's no place like home... How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days (Dir. Donald Petrie 2003): Andie needs to prove she can dump a guy in 10 days. Ben needs to prove he can win a girl in 10 days. Now the clock is ticking-and the year's most wildly entertaining comedy smash is off and running in this irresistible tale of sex lies and outrageous romantic fireworks!

• Raising Victor Vargas | DVD | (05/04/2004) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  A New York teenager struggles to find some sanity while surrounded by an eccentric grandmother, a crazy new girlfriend, and a longing younger brother.

• Friends - Series 1 - Episodes 9-16 | DVD | (27/10/2003) from £5.64   |  Saving you £4.34 (163.77%)   |  RRP £6.99

  Season 1: When the first series of Friends debuted in September 1994, it was immediately obvious there would be no need for the show to find its feet. "The One Where Monica Gets a Roommate" was a confident introduction to the six lead characters, opening in the middle of an everyday conversation with the soon-to-be uncharacteristic line: "There's nothing to tell". In fact, the soap opera-style plot got complicated pretty quickly, with spoiled brat Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) moving on from her failed wedding to feelings toward nerdy/heartthrob Ross (David Schwimmer). However, no love life was more complicated than Joey's (Matt LeBlanc), with an endless stream of girlfriends that annoyed the hell out of wisecracking roommate Chandler (Matthew Perry), who only seemed to be able to connect with Janice (Maggie Wheeler), the shrillest voice in the city. Bouncing all manner of neuroses around them were Ross' obsessive sister Monica (Courteney Cox) and endearingly ditzy Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow). Premise established, Series 1 matured the characters by providing a monkey and a son for Ross. We met also meet Ross and Monica's parents Jack (Elliott Gould) and Judy (Christina Pickles), Chandler's mother (Morgan Fairchild) and Phoebe's twin sister Ursula (Kudrow, naturally). Fans loved cameos from George Clooney, Jay Leno and show creators Kevin Bright, Marta Kauffman and David Crane. But really the focus was on building to "T.O.W. Rachel Finds Out" that Ross is in love with her. --Paul Tonks

• Kubrick Classics | DVD | (06/10/2008) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £15.99

  Titles Comprise: Full Metal Jacket: begins by following the trials and tribulations of a platoon of fresh Marine Corps recruits focusing on the relationship between Gunnery Sergeant Hartman and Privates Pyle and Joker. We see Pyle grow into an instrument of death as Hartman has foreseen of all of his recruits. Through Pyle's torment and Joker's unwillingness to stand up against it the climax of part one is achieved with all three main characters deciding their fates by their action or inaction. The second chapter of Full Metal Jacket delves into Joker's psyche and the repeated referral to the fact that he joined the Corps to become a killer. When his mostly behind the scenes job as a combat correspondent is interfered with by the Tet offensive he is thrust into real combat and ultimately must choose if he really is a killer. A Clockwork Orange: Stomping whomping stealing singing tap-dancing violating Derby-topped teddy-boy hooligan Alex (Malcolm McDowell) has his own way of having a good time. He has it at the tragic expense of others. Alex's journey from amoral punk to brainwashed proper citizen forms the dynamic arc of Stanley Kubrick's future-shook vision of Anthony Burgess's novel. Unforgettable images startling musical counterpoints the fascinating language used by Alex and his pals - Kubrick shapes them into a shattering whole. 2001: A Space Odyssey: When a large black monolith is found beneath the surface of the moon the reaction immediately is that it was intentionally buried. When the point of origin is confirmed as Jupiter an expedition is sent in hopes of finding the source. When Dr. David Bowman discovers faults in the expeditionary space craft's communications system he discovers more than he ever wanted to know.

• The Maker | DVD | (21/10/2002) from £5.54   |  Saving you £-1.55 (N/A%)   |  RRP £3.99

  Josh Millen a very bright but somewhat directionless teen turns 18. He's surprised when his brother Walter Schmeiss shows up on the doorstep wishing him a happy birthday. He lies that he's married with two children but explains to Josh that he's in the storage and transfer business.

• Mary Poppins | DVD | (08/07/2002) from £12.98   |  Saving you £7.01 (54.01%)   |  RRP £19.99

  There is only one word that comes close to accurately describing the enchanting Mary Poppins, and that term was coined by the movie itself: supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! Even at 2 hours and 20 minutes, Disney's pioneering mixture of live action and animation (based on the books by P.L. Travers) still holds kids spellbound. Julie Andrews won an Oscar as the world's most magically idealized nanny ("practically perfect in every way," and complete with lighter-than-air umbrella), and Dick Van Dyke is her clownishly charming beau, Bert the chimney sweep. The songs are also terrific, ranging from bright and cheery ("A Spoonful of Sugar") to dark and cheery (the Oscar-winning "Chim-Chim Cheree") to touchingly melancholy ("Feed the Birds"). Many consider Mary Poppins to be the crowning achievement of Walt Disney's career--and it was the only one of his features to be nominated for a best picture Academy Award until Beauty and the Beast in 1991. --Jim Emerson

• The Tale Of Despereaux / Open Season 2 / Surf's Up | DVD | (14/09/2009) from £4.89   |  Saving you £15.10 (308.79%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Titles Comprise: The Tale of Despereaux: Once upon a time there was a brave and virtuous mouse with comically oversized ears who dreamt of becoming a knight. Banished from his home for having such lofty ambitions Despereaux set off on an amazing adventure with his good-hearted rat friend Roscuro that eventually led him at long last on a very noble quest to rescue an endangered princess. Set in the far away kingdom of Dor this magical fable harkens back to a time of honour and chivalry inspiring fans of all ages to be the best mouse they can be! Open Season 2: Boog and Elliot are back for more crazy adventures. After falling head over hooves in love with Giselle Elliot's road to the altar takes a slight detour when Mr. Weenie is kidnapped by a group of pampered pets determined to return him to his owners. Boog Elliot McSquizzy Buddy and the rest of the woodland creatures launch a full-scale rescue mission for their sausage-shaped friend and soon find themselves in enemy camp: the world of the pets. Led by a toy poodle named Fifi the pets do not plan to let Mr. Weenie go without a fight. Can a toy poodle REALLY bring down an 900-pound grizzly bear? Will Elliot ever marry Giselle? Find out in Open Season 2. Surf's Up: A stylistically daring CGI feature Surf's Up is based on the groundbreaking revelation that surfing was actually invented by penguins. In the film a documentary crew will take audiences behind the scenes and onto the waves during the most competitive heartbreaking and dangerous display of surfing known to man the Penguin World Surfing Championship.

• Dead Man's Curve | DVD | (22/04/2002) from £17.98   |  Saving you £9.01 (33.40%)   |  RRP £26.99

  Someone Is About To Go Over The Edge. For college friends Tim and Chris the plan was simple. Knock off their roommate Rand frame it as a suicide and walk away with straight A's for the semester. But when the plan begins to unravel and the questions keep coming surrounding Rand's suicide the rules begin to change and the bonds of loyalty and friendship dissolve in the midst of lies and deception.

• Friends - Series 4 - Episodes 1-8 | DVD | (15/11/1999) from £13.13   |  Saving you £-6.14 (-87.80%)   |  RRP £6.99

  Season 4: The New Year begins by telling the fans in no uncertain terms that it's over for Ross and Rachel. There are a few episodes of pure silliness--such as "T.O.W. Chandler in a Box" after he kisses Joey's girlfriend--then two distinct story arcs take over. Usually when an actress falls pregnant, a show will hide them behind objects or in bigger clothes. For Kudrow it was decided to celebrate the fact on-screen by having her carry a child for her brother Frank (Giovanni Ribsi) and his wife. Being Phoebe, it naturally gets weird when "T.O.W. The Embryos" reveals she'll be having triplets. The hilarity resulted in an Emmy for her hard work. Subplot number two came with the arrival of British babe Emily (Helen Baxendale), who rapidly steals Ross's heart. The same episode ("T.O.W. Joey's Dirty Day") also features an amazing cameo from Charlton Heston giving Joey acting tips. But this couldn't have prepared fans for the stars and shocks of the gang's trip to London in the two-part finale "T.O.W Ross' Wedding". Somehow squeezed into the budget were: Richard Branson, Tom Conti, Sarah Ferguson, Hugh Laurie, Jennifer Saunders and June Whitfield. At the climax of what should have been the perfect wedding, the year ends by telling the fans in no uncertain terms that it'll never be over for Ross and Rachel. --Paul Tonks

• The Gentlemen - Limited Blu-ray Edition im Steelbook | Blu Ray | (10/07/2020) from £25.50   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

• Friends - Series 6 - Episodes 1-8 | DVD | (06/11/2000) from £7.40   |  Saving you £-0.41 (N/A%)   |  RRP £6.99

  Season 6: Between seasons, Cox and David Arquette were married, leading to "T.O.W. After Vegas" adding "Arquette" after everyone's title credits. Unfortunately, on-screen it's divorce time again despite "T.O.W. Ross Hugs Rachel", since he secretly tries avoiding an annulment of their accidental marriage. Far more out in the open is Chandler and Monica's relationship. Moving in together creates lots of fun as the others move back and forth into each other's apartments. It also leads to Joey finally showing a tender side toward temporary roommate Janine (Elle Macpherson). By now his chat-up catchphrase: "How you doin'?" had caught on, but he needed to fall for someone. He kept the fun alive all year pretending to have a Porsche, starting work on the show Mac and C.H.E.E.S.E. and by falling for Chandler's card game Cups in the excellent "T.O.W. On the Last Night" (one of many directed by Schwimmer). More fun came from Ross trying to teach everyone the mental discipline Unagi, popping ridiculous moves with Monica for their childhood dance routine and having a fluorescently dazzling smile in "T.O.W. Ross' Teeth" (also featuring a near-silent cameo from Ralph Lauren). Far more talkative was Reese Witherspoon as Rachel's sister--another temptation for Ross. What they briefly had wasn't as complicated as later in "T.O.W. Ross Meets Elizabeth's Dad", who turns out to be an Emmy-winning Bruce Willis (thanks to becoming friends with Perry during The Whole Nine Yards). The fans' need for love interest and continuity had established the seasons' format now. Another two-part finale offers jeopardy--then resolution--from Tom Selleck's Richard in "T.O.W. The Proposal" between Chandler and Monica. --Paul Tonks

• The Hotel New Hampshire | DVD | (25/09/2006) from £12.98   |  Saving you £-10.99 (N/A%)   |  RRP £1.99

  From the novel by John Irving comes this darkly comic tale of an eccentric New England family. As the father moves them from one place to the next setting up a new hotel each time the assortment of oddball characters seem to become involved in ever more bizarre situations. Frannie becomes obsessed with the boy who attacks her John becomes obsessed with Frannie his sister and both of them fall for a girl who is so insecure she hides in a bear outfit Frank is coming to terms with his homosexuality and the youngest Lilly is convinced she isn't growing. The family pet is a flatulent dog that ends up stuffed and causes more trouble than when it was alive...

• Chatroom | Blu Ray | (25/04/2011) from £12.98   |  Saving you £7.01 (54.01%)   |  RRP £19.99

  In an online world, who's controlling who? Puppet master? Victim? Which will you be? When strangers Jim, Eva, Emily and Mo meet William in his chatroom,they're completely seduced by his fast-talking, charismatic character.

• The Lion King II: Simba's Pride | DVD | (16/02/2001) from £20.00   |  Saving you £-0.01 (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  The Lion King II: Simba's Pride is another made-for-video sequel to a Disney masterpiece. As with the Beauty and the Beast and Pocahontas sequels, most of the recognisable vocal talents return, creating a worthwhile successor to the highest-grossing animated film ever. We pick up the story as the lion king, Simba (voiced by Matthew Broderick) and Nala (Moira Kelly) have a new baby cub, a girl named Kiara (Neve Campbell). Like her father before, she seeks adventure and ends up outside the Pridelands, where lions loyal to the evil Scar (who died in the original) have lived with revenge in their hearts. The leader, Zira (a spunky turn from Suzanne Pleshette), schemes to use her son Kovu (Jason Marsden) to destroy Simba. As luck with have it, Kiara has bumped into Kovu and fallen in love. This all sounds familiar since all of Disney's straight-to-video sequels have played it very safe, nearly repeating the originals' story, tone, and pace. Perhaps there were too many cooks for this production. Besides the two screenplay credits, there are eight other writers credited for additional written material. The look of the film has none of the surprise of the original but is far superior to other animated videos. In fact, the film played in European cinemas. For children, the sequel will be a favourite. The comic antics of Timon (Nathan Lane) and Pumba (Ernie Sabella) are enjoyable, as is Andy Dick as Nuka, the mixed-up older son of Zira. And there's plenty of action. The best element is the music. Relying on more African-influenced music, the five songs featured are far superior to those in Disney's other sequels. Zira's song of revenge, "My Lullaby," was cowritten by Buffy the Vampire Slayer creator Joss Whedon. The oustanding opening number, "He Lives in You", was created for the Lion King Broadway smash and now finds a whole new audience. --Doug Thomas

• Silent Night | Blu Ray | (08/03/2022) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

• Friends - Series 5 - Episodes 1-8 | DVD | (15/11/1999) from £4.99   |  Saving you £2.00 (40.08%)   |  RRP £6.99

  Season 5: Divorce number two is immediately on the cards as the year opens with "T.O. After Ross Says Rachel". As of this point, Ross' character undergoes some extreme personality changes (which apparently lost Schwimmer many female fans). His incessant whining drives all the Friends to distraction, especially in "T.O.W. Ross Moves In" with Chandler and Joey. Later things get uncomfortable both at work and at home when he goes through a period of rage ("T.O.W. Ross' Sandwich"). While all this downplays his failed relationship with Rachel, the real idea is to allow focus on the secret pairing of Chandler and Monica after a night of passion in London. This made for a return to the show's appealingly silly atmosphere as poor Joey is made piggy-in-the-middle of everyone's secrets. Building to "T.O.W. Everybody Finds Out", the silliness pauses for some genuinely touching interplay between Perry and Cox. The previous year's semi-serious thread about Phoebe's birth gets forgotten fast: to distract the viewer she's introduced to Gary (Michael Rapaport) in "T.O.W. The Cop". This leads to some hilarious parodying with Phoebe interrogated about apartment hunting, and the guys excited and then scared in "T.O. W. The Ride Along". She's more than over him by the time of the two-part finale "T.O.W. In Vegas" though, especially since she missed out on London. Just in case fans thought Chandler and Monica had permanently stolen the spotlight, a cliffhanger shocks expectation again with Ross and Rachel bursting out of a chapel... --Paul Tonks

• Friends - Series 9 - Vol. 1 - Eps 1-4 | DVD | (27/10/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £6.99

  Nine years is a long time for any group of Friends to stick so closely together, but somehow the gang are still as daftly charming as ever. After the birth of Emma, Rachel comes to terms with being a mother surprisingly well. It's how everyone else deals with it that makes things interesting. Joey's accidental proposal creates weird friction between him and Ross, who breaks his finger throwing the show's first ever punch. Monica becomes desperately broody and attempts all manner of convoluted ways of persuading Chandler (unfortunately he inadvertently bankrupts them in a move to Tulsa). Phoebe, on the other hand, occupies herself in the dating game, holding on to Mike (Paul Rudd) in the longest guest star relationship anyone's ever had. Other surprise guests this year include Freddie Prinze Jr as an overly sensitive nanny (in the 200th episode), Christina Applegate as another of Rachel's sisters and Jeff Goldblum playing himself on the set of another movie on which Joey is trying to get a break. As always the sparks occasionally fly between Rachel and Ross, while the others manage to strain their own relationships to the max. The real reason for watching now is the one-off kooky scenarios in which they--or rather Joey--get into. His endless dating finally sees him stuck for remembering if he's already slept with a girl; he botches an attempt at eyebrow waxing; and he manages to make Chandler think that Monica wants a breast enhancement. A 10th series and potential movie spin-off were announced well before the year was over, meaning six very rich actors will be supplying the fun for some time yet to come. --Paul Tonks

• Friends - Series 2 - Episodes 9-16 | DVD | (27/10/2003) from £4.99   |  Saving you £2.00 (40.08%)   |  RRP £6.99

  Season 2: Unfortunately, Rachel's brave intention to announce her feelings is scuppered in the season opener "The One With Ross' New Girlfriend". It doesn't matter how great her hair looks (a real-life accident when a friend cut it with a razor), or how many sneaky tricks she tries to separate them. Ultimately it takes a peculiar doppelganger to lure the new girl away in "TOW Russ" (Schwimmer credited as "Snaro"). The Friends couldn't be happier to have the angst and tension relieved, and "TOW Ross and Rachel... You Know" is unsurprisingly an all-time fan favourite. This was straightforward compared to the other side of Ross' love life in "TOW the Lesbian Wedding" though. Initiating another "will they, won't they?" subplot was the introduction of Richard (Tom Selleck) as a new flame for Monica. Highlights for the other characters all centred on the Emmy-winning two-part "The One After the Super Bowl" with a stunning cameo list including Brooke Shields, Chris Isaak, Dan Castellaneta (Homer from The Simpsons), Jean-Claude Van Damme and Julia Roberts (whom Perry subsequently dated for a short while). Another great highlight was Chandler and Joey's ineptitude in "TOW the Baby on the Bus", which also featured Chrissie Hynde giving Phoebe's "Smelly Cat" its best ever rendition on guitar. To leave viewers hanging, the year ended with Rachel in understandable uncertainty over "TOW Barry And Mindy's Wedding" (her ex-fiancé and ex-best friend). --Paul Tonks