Dockers is a landmark one-off drama suspended somewhere between Ken Loach and Alan Bleasdale's Boys from the Blackstuff. A striking Channel Four production Dockers dramatises the infamous struggle that developed when five Merseyside dockworkers were fired for refusing to work overtime with no pay, and gained the support of co-workers who wouldn't cross their picket line. As a result, those who stood in solidarity with the original five were sacked as well--500 in total--leading to a two-year stand-off. Co-written by award-winning screenwriters Jimmy McGovern (Cracker) and Irvine Welsh (Trainspotting), the two-year ordeal is brought home with startling reality, not least because of the contribution of the real-life Liverpool dockers who helped develop the script in extensive writing workshops, lending the film an authenticity it might have otherwise lacked. While the narrative hangs around the moving central story of one family in which both father and son are caught up in the strike, dramatic conflicts develop on multiple levels: between father and son; between the families of the sacked workers (this is particularly well realised as one long-time friend, played by The Royle Family's Ricky Tomlinson, turns scab); and between the workers and the union that betrays them. Ken Stott and Crissy Rock (Ladybird, Ladybird) are outstanding as the central working-class couple, old before their time at 47, and if nothing else, the film reveals one further reason why Liverpool loved Robbie Fowler quite so ferociously: during post-goal celebrations, Fowler lifts his jersey to reveal a T-shirt emblazoned with a message of support for the wronged dockers, ensuring national attention for the action at a time when all hope seemed lost. --Tricia Tuttle
Based on the novels by Bernard Cornwell, Sharpe (1993-7) ran to 14 full-length television films that follow the adventures of the titular soldier through the later years of the Napoleonic Wars. The programmes are 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 14 episodes being directed by Tom Clegg. On the DVD: Sharpe on DVD contains a photo gallery and several screens of background text. 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
When a couple of lazy hunter-gatherers (Jack Black and Michael Cera) are banished from their primitive village, they set off on an epic journey through the ancient world in Sony Pictures' comedy "Year One".
It's the 22nd Century and a mission to land on the planet Aurora is underway with the launch of a ship carrying six astronuats led by a man who refuses to fail. When the ship encounters technical difficulties the crew take to the planet's surface where conditions are a test of man's endurance...
Ship's officer Larry Ellis is asked by the CIA to help infiltrate a forgery ring in France as he is almost a double for a dead double-crossing gold courier who worked for the gang. Ellis realises his life is at risk but that so is the stability of the money supplies of the Western world.
The complete second series of this hugely successful television series starring John Thaw as the legendary Jack Regan and Dennis Waterman as sidekick George Carter. Episodes comprise: 1. Chalk and Cheese 2. Faces 3. Supersnout 4. Big Brother 5. Hit and Run 6. Trap 7. Golden Fleece 8. Poppy 9. Stay Lucky Eh? 10. Trojan Bus 11. I Want The Man 12. Country Boy 13. Thou Shalt Not Kill
Join your favourite serial killer in all 8 chilling seasons of the Emmy�-winning SHOWTIME series. This to-die-for collection is a must-have for all Dexter fans!
This lavish two-hour concert special, originally produced for HBO, offers ample proof of Janet Jackson's fierce ambitions. Whitney, Celine and Mariah can run circles around her small, sweet voice, but Janet brings a tough, muscular power to her live performances that none of those peers can approach, storming through myriad set and costume changes, and sustaining an aerobic pace through elaborate dance routines. As captured during this Madison Square Garden presentation of her Velvet Rope tour, Janet Jackson is, ahem, very buff indeed, not just in her well-toned physical health, but in her vocal attack.The Velvet Rope tosses up rappers, hard-rock heroism, melting romantic pop and Jackson's own brand of soft-core erotica, but the show transcends those components in its broad sense of spectacle. The star fronts a formidable battalion of dancers, singers and musicians to make her points, and while it's obvious that the musical performances have been nipped, tucked and polished to an acceptable sheen, Janet earns her props through sheer willpower.Ranging across Jackson's best-known songs from the last decade, the production is noteworthy for its intricate choreography and massive settings, in which the star seeks to match the big-budget sweep of her music videos. The live troupe is formidable, composed of a crack band and a large cast of nimble dancers, and Janet keeps pace with her aerobic presence. We'll leave it to social scientists to ponder the significance of the "Rope Burn" sequence, in which an ecstatic male fan is lashed to a chair and gets to watch his favourite sex object pole-dance. If this stalwart is any indication, Janet has already won the hearts (and more) of her faithful. --Sam Sutherland, Amazon.com
Simmering with supernatural elements and inspired by the immensely popular drama The Vampire Diaries it's The Originals from executive producer/writer Julie Plec (The Vampire Diaries The Tomorrow People Kyle XY and Scream 2 3). This sexy new series centers on the Original vampire family and the dangerous vampire-werewolf hybrid Klaus Mikaelson who returns to the magical melting pot that is the French Quarter of New Orleans - a town he helped build centuries ago. Acting on a mysterious tip that a plot is brewing against him Klaus' questions lead him to a reunion with his diabolical former protégé Marcel a charismatic vampire who has total control over the human and supernatural inhabitants of the city. Klaus' brother Elijah follows to New Orleans and soon learns that Hayley a former flame of Klaus' who is in the city investigating her family history has fallen into the hands of a powerful witch named Sophie. While they wait for their sister Rebekah to join them in New Orleans Klaus and Elijah form an uneasy alliance with Sophie and her community of witches. Sophie has been turned into a revolutionary by the loss her own sister at Marcel's hands and by the mysterious disappearance of a young witch named Davina and she is willing to do anything - including making a deal with Original family - to break Marcel's power over the witches of the French Quarter. Even the human population of the Quarter is unwittingly drawn into this supernatural battleground including Cami a whip-smart psychology grad student with secrets of her own. Now in the midst of a thriving New Orleans a city known to be steeped in magic and history the long-smoldering war is about to reach a fever pitch and the Originals stand as the catalyst. As lines are drawn and strategies are laid out one truth will echo through the French Quarter: Power begins and ends with family.
Johnny Smith's life is interrupted by a near fatal car crash that leaves him in a deep coma for six years. When he regains consciousness he discovers that he now possesses amazing psychic powers; powers that allow him to see into the life of anyone he touches... Based on the characters and story from the best-selling book by Stephen King The Dead Zone is a unique psychological thriller that combines a rich mix of action the paranormal and a continuing quest for justice. Fe
From the vaults of British television comes a comedy gem starring two consummate actors who were also a couple in real life: Dame Judi Dench and her husband Michael Williams. They play a pair of middle-aged dating-game dropouts as wary of romance as they are perfect for each other. Laura a brainy translator and Mike a shy landscape gardener are introduced by Laura's glamorous younger sister who is intent on finding a mate for her spinsterish sibling. Awkward and rumpled Mike drives an old wreck and fails to impress the prickly Laura. Still Mike senses an opportunity if only he can find the courage to pursue it. From this unpromising beginning the pair lurch and swerve their way to companionship friendship and finally love. Featuring all the episodes from series 3. Episodes Comprise: 1. Missing 2. The Hotel 3. The Dinner Party 4. Business Problems 5. Parenthood 6. Extreme Measures
Seduction. Romance. Murder. The things one does for love! In this outrageous erotically charged thriller Nicolas Cage stars as a womanizing New York executive who becomes convinced that he's a vampire when one of his conquests bites his neck in the throes of passion!
Michael B. Jordan, Dakota Fanning, Maisie Williams, and David Tennant star in the new show from the producers of RWBY. Fifty years in the future, an oppressive authoritarian force threatens to conquer the world. A daring team is recruited to pilot a new form of weaponized neuroscience that powers devastating mecha, but they must be willing to sacrifice everything to save the world.
In Men in Black 3, Agents J [Will Smith] and K [Tommy Lee Jones] are back... in time. J has seen some inexplicable things in his 15 years with the Men in Black, but nothing, not even aliens, perplexes him as much as his wry, reticent partner. But when K's life and the fate of the planet are put at stake, Agent J will have to travel back in time to put things right. J discovers that there are secrets to the universe that K never told him secrets that will reveal themselves as he teams up with the young Agent K [Josh Brolin] to save his partner, the agency and the future of humankind. Special Features: Partners In Time: The Making of MIB3 The Evolution of Cool: MIB 1960s Vs. Today Keeping It Surreal: The Visual FX of MIB3 Gag Reel Scene Investigations Progression Reels Music Video Spot The Alien Game
IT'S A WRAP. It's the beginning of the end for charming Miami forensics expert Dexter Morgan (Golden Globe� Winner Michael C. Hall) as all 12 season eight episodes bring to rest the critically acclaimed hit series. He's spent his days solving crimes and his nights committing them, but never before has Dexter had to deal with a more abhorrent and deranged enemy than he does now: himself. Six months after the stunning murder of Lt. LaGuerta, Dexter's estranged sister Debra (Jennifer Carpenter)...
Set in World War II and based on a true story, Battle of the V.1 starring Michael Rennie, Patricia Medina and Christopher Lee is set in Nazi held Poland. Polish Resistance discover a mysterious pilot-less plane being built and tested in Poland - the resistance inform Britain of the plane and British enlist a Polish school teacher (Michael Rennie) to infiltrate the factory where the 'strange plane' was being built and pass as much information as possible back to London. The film tells the vit...
Brian Henson directs his late father's creations in the Charles Dickens classic, the best known (and most oft-filmed) Christmas story of all time. Michael Caine plays the old miser Scrooge with Kermit as his long-suffering but ever-hopeful employee Bob Cratchit, Miss Piggy as Cratchit's wife, and a host of Muppets (including the Great Gonzo as an unlikely Charles Dickens) taking other primary roles in this bright, playful adaptation of the sombre tale. Or at least it starts brightly enough--the anarchic humour soon settles into mirthful memories and a sense of melancholy as the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future take Scrooge on a journey of his lonely, wasted life. Michael Caine makes a wonderful Scrooge, delightfully rediscovering the meaning of life as fantastic creations from Henson's Creature Shop (developed specially for this film) take the reins as the three ghosts. While the odd mix of offbeat humour and sombre drama undercuts the power of Dickens's drama, this kid-friendly retelling makes an excellent family drama that adults and children alike can enjoy. --Sean Axmaker
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