A prepubescent chess prodigy under pressure from his sports reporter father (Mantegna) and also his mentor (Kingsley) refuses to harden himself in order to become a champion like the famous but unfathomable Bobby Fischer...
A gradual shift in overall style, character homecomings and departures, and evolving on and off-screen roles for the major players are among the attractions of the complete seventh season of Stargate SG-1. Spread out over five discs, these 21 episodes are ample indication that changes notwithstanding--and admittedly, not all of them are for the better--the series remains arguably the best-made, most compelling sci-fi program on television. Perhaps most noticeable is the reduced role of star Richard Dean Anderson, who opted to limit his number of trips to Vancouver, where Stargate SG-1 is filmed. But that's not a bad thing. The show's ability to poke fun at itself has always been a strong suit, and while Anderson still brings a welcome sense of humor to his portrayal of wiseacre and loose cannon Col. Jack O'Neill, his act is getting a little smug by now. What's more, the other principal cast members have taken up the slack, both behind and in front of the camera: Michael Shanks (Daniel Jackson, who rejoins the cast in episode 1) wrote one episode and co-wrote another; Christopher Judge (Teal'c) wrote one as well; Amanda Tapping (Lt. Col. Samatha Carter) directed episode 19, "Resurrection"; and even Corin Nemec (Jonas Quinn, who appears in just a few episodes) contributed one story. The seventh season also finds the series somewhat more earthbound than in the past; indeed, there are episodes in which the Stargate (the "wormhole" our heroes use to travel to different worlds) doesn't appear at all. On balance, the stories are more personal, and more political--especially the final two, with the newly elected U.S. President (William Devane) struggling to decide the fate of the Stargate program (and, of course, the fate of the entire known universe as well!). And then there's the ultimate villain, Anubis, who makes perennial nemeses the Goa'uld (of which Anubis is one... sort of) look tame. He's a combination of Star Wars' Darth Vader and evil Emperor, but hey, at least these guys borrow from the best. Stargate SG-1's production values remain first-rate. The bonus DVD features are also much better than they once were, with audio commentary (mainly by directors and writers) for every episode, as well as director profiles and "Beyond the Gate" featurettes focusing on individual characters. --Sam Graham
Fireman turned private-eye Ken Boon is back in the saddle for more trouble-shooting adventures in the BAFTA-winning hit drama. Witty, heart-warming storylines and an array of prestigious guest stars ensured Boon was an instant ratings winner for ITV, and it remains a much-loved series to this day.This sixth series finds Ken and his business partner and old friend Harry Crawford tested by a typically diverse set of cases, with ever-enthusiastic sidekicks Rocky and Laura ready to intervene when Ken and Harry find themselves too far out of their depths.Jenny Agutter, Christopher Eccleston, Bill Nighy, James Nesbitt, Timothy Spall, Dennis Waterman and Don Henderson feature among the series many guest stars, and also included is The Night Before Christmas the special of 1991 also starring Peter Vaughan, Alfred Molina and Jill Gascoigne.
Earning a nomination at the Academy Awards for Best Animated Short Film in 1998 this collection of nine animated tales is cleverly and faithfully adapted from one of the most audacious and astonishing works in English literature. Via cel animation clay animation and impressionistic drawings the viewer is transported on a vivid journey to medieval times taking in chivalry love lust the Black Death rape deception and chickens. Introducing a group of men and women from various st
In the near future, breathable air is nonexistent. Virtually all of humanity has disappeared, and those chosen to reestablish society reside in a controlled state of suspended animation. Two engineers tasked with guarding the last hope for mankind struggle to preserve their own sanity and lives while administering to the vital task at hand. Starring Norman Reedus and two-time Oscar® nominee Djimon Hounsou.
The Rugrats get tangled in an exotic adventure, where they're helped by the Thornberrys, a family that travels the world making nature documentaries.
He lives! They die! Christopher Lee as the fanged undead.
A crime spree called Operation Chaos is plaguing the city. Time to call out our frontline defense. And when that defense is made up of Police Academy alumni it's also time to pray! Bubba Smith Michael Winslow David Graf Marion Ramsey Leslie Easterbrook G.W. Bailey George Gaynes and other returnees strap on laugh-riot gear for Police Academy 6: City Under Siege. A mysterious Mr. Big is the mastermind behind a gang that robs banks and jewelers. Cmdt. Lassard is suspected when it becomes clear that a police department information leak is keeping the bad guys one step ahead. Solving the case won't take a mastermind just an arsenal of gags and goofiness in the fun Police Academy tradition.
Tony Britton won a BAFTA nomination for his central performance in this finely observed drama about a veteran Labour back-bencher who risks the remains of his career when he re-engages in the grass-roots politics of his northern working-class constituency. Starting life as a single ITV Playhouse drama which won the Broadcasting Press Guild's award for Best Single Play in 1975, The Nearly Man follows the events of seven months in a critical year for Christopher Collinson a public-school MP with the perfect credentials for a candidate in the forthcoming general election. The series charts his uneasy relationship with party activists, the intrigues and aggression of politics and the impact of Collinson's renewed ambition upon his marriage. This set features all seven episodes of the series along with the single play, devised and written by BAFTA winner Arthur Hopcraft.
In this horror sequel a young film student makes a movie about urban legends, only to find her friends and crew start dying...
Based on a true story, this charming film, which will appeal to adults and children alike, explores the relationship of the extraordinary black bear who became the inspiration for the stories of A.A. Milne, and the heroic man who saved her life and gave her to the world. August 1914. The outbreak of World War One. The Canadian city of Winnipeg is gripped by a patriotic frenzy. Troops march through the heart of the city as young men in civilian clothes rush to join the ranks. Among the troops is Lieutenant Harry Colebourn (Michael Fassbender, Alien Covenant, Assassins Creed), a supremely confident and likeable vet who has a gift with animals. But Winnie (Winnipeg) is a breath of fresh air from the harsh realities of war for the soldiers and is given a reprieve by old fashioned General Halholland (David Suchet, Poirot, Henry VIII) by becoming the regimental mascot.
Neil's stag night turns into a nightmare when he is flown drugged to a remote Scottish island and left naked and penniless. Now he has only three days to get to London for his wedding...
Hal, Tom and Alex are three housemates with some serious issues on their hands, and they're not all about the washing up rota. Hal (Damien Molony) is a 500 year-old vampire, Tom (Michael Socha) is a hardened werewolf and Alex (Kate Bracken) has recently had the misfortune of becoming a ghost. But threat lurks around every corner. There is the volatile and deluded Crumb (Colin Hoult) - a newly recruited vampire, and the sinister Mr Rook (Steven Robertson) - head of a secret government department. With bills to be paid, our heroes take jobs in Barry's kitschest hotel, but alongside the flock wallpaper and the cocktail umbrellas dwells an evil greater than anything faced before. On the face of it, Captain Hatch (Phil Davis) is just another foul-mouthed decrepit old man but he hides a dark secret that threatens not only our heroes' friendships but the entire world.
The juggernaut four-disc set that is the Rolling Stones Four Flicks is taken from their unique three-in-one 2001 tour when they combined a stadium tour, an arena tour and a theatre tour into one 54-truck peregrination. It's the kind of epic endeavour that brings to mind William Burroughs' remark on Laurie Anderson's Home of the Brave: "Y'know, I prefer to watch this kind of thing on TV. Tones it down." Of the four discs, there's one devoted to each of the three sets plus another of documentary footage which is every bit as entertaining as the concerts, with the chaps coming across as the bunch of lovable old monkeys they resemble these days. The track listings speak for itself, but there are quite a few nice insights into the way in which the band operates musically. Jagger's voice is nowhere near as strong as it was, yet, like Miles Davis did when his chops began to desert him, he simply knits any shortcomings into his style of delivery. One side-effect of this, though, is that the more recent material, presumably written with this in mind, is much more effective here than the classics; "Brown Sugar", for example, its lyrics now neutered to avoid giving offence, finds him resorting to all sorts of shortcuts. No matter, though, the Stones still put on an incomparable show. Keith "the Human Riff" Richards is in fact playing better now than he ever has. It's well worth getting yer ya-yas out for. On the DVD: Four Flicks presents its material in such an integrated way that it's hard to say where the main event ends and the extras begin. As well as the concerts, you get to see the band working with AC/DC, Sheryl Crow and various other associates, there's a fun feature which allows you to zoom in on any individual member on a few tracks (revealing the secret of Charlie Watts's propulsive drumming to the percussion-minded observer) plus a great deal more. --Roger Thomas
This Sharpe box set contains all 14 of the full-length television films based on the novels by Bernard Cornwell. Originally broadcast between 1993 and 97, they follow the adventures of the titular soldier during the later years of the Napoleonic Wars, through Wellington's Peninsular campaign up to and including Waterloo. The programmes represent an outstanding achievement for the small screen, dominated by Sean Bean's central performance as the heroic, troubled outsider who turns out to be a resourceful and loyal leader. Bolstered by a strong supporting cast, particularly Daragh O'Malley as Harper and (in later episodes) Abigail Cruttenden as Jane, Sharpe is often visually striking, the action tense and gripping. Consistency is maintained by all episodes being directed by Tom Clegg. On the DVD: Sharpe the complete series is a 14-disc set of all 14 episodes. The sound is full-bodied stereo while the very "sharp" picture has been transferred slightly letterboxed at 14:9. Though looking much better than the original TV transmissions the occasionally cropped framing makes it apparent the films were shot in 16:9 widescreen, so it is regrettable they have not been transferred to DVD in that format. Otherwise these are first-rate releases. --Gary S Dalkin
Sun fun and babes in shades. Where else but Miami Beach? Buffoons blockheads and party-hearty animals. Who else but the Police Academy gang? Put them all together for Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach the caper that takes our klutzy cops on the road. Our badge-carrying bunglers are in Miami for a convention honoring Cmdt. Lassard. But crime doesn't take a vacation even if our heroes do. Lassard is kidnapped. And not even the lure of limbo beach parties will stop the intrepid troopers' uproarious rescue attempts. So join your armed and hilarious favorites. If there's a Most Wanted List for laughter these loony coppers have just gotta be on it.
Orlando Bloom stars as a stranger in a strange land in this epic Crusades adventure.
The Stargate is an intergalactic gateway developed by an ancient civilization that links other planets from other solar systems to ours. Boasting incredible special effects sequences rapid-fire pacing and awesome scenes of alien warfare Stargate SG-1 is your gateway to pulse-pounding sci-fi action! All the exciting adventures from the eighth season of the sci-fi series with a plethora of extra features. Episodes Comprise: 1. New Order (Part 1) 2. New Order (Par
A young wannabe writer haunted by his mother's death his wife's desertion and his boring research job on a magazine succumbs to booze cocaine and the late-night New York club scene...
They were after silver and they struck gold. Financial wizard ""Doc"" Fletcher (Michael Caine) is sent by crime boss Joe Fiore (Martin Balsam) to buy a bank in Switzerland in order to more easily launder their profits. When he arrives Fletcher finds that the bank acquired by his associate Prince di Siracusa (Louis Jourdan) consists of some shabby offices above a restaurant.
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