"Actor: O"

• The Early Bird | DVD | (12/11/2001) from £16.24   |  Saving you £-3.26 (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

  Norman Wisdom reprises his best-loved character, the comically inept Pitkin, in 1965's The Early Bird, ably supported once again by Edward Chapman in his final appearance as Mr Grimsdale. This time around Wisdom is the only milkman working for Grimsdale's Dairy, a small business threatened by a menacing large corporation in the shape of Consolidated Dairies and their electric milk floats. Grimsdale and Pitkin must evoke the Dunkirk spirit to save their family firm from the grasp of the faceless giant. Of course, the wafer-thin plot is the merest excuse for a series of calamitous set pieces in which Wisdom wreaks havoc in his trademark bumbling manner. The best bits involve a disastrous game of golf, the usual shenanigans with a fire hose and a virtuoso tour de force opening sequence as the household struggles to wake up in the morning. Wisdom's own brand of Jerry Lewis-inspired clowning, with mugging and pratfalls aplenty, is all good clean fun with little or none of the smutty innuendo that characterised the contemporary Carry On series. He carries this film, as he does all his others, solely on the strength of his winningly naïve charm: this is innocent comedy from the days before supermarkets really did wreck all the local businesses, not to mention from the days before The Godfather gave a whole new spin on the comedy value of going to bed with your horse. On the DVD: There are no extra features on this disc at all. Given Wisdom's household-name status and the longevity of these much-loved movies, this seems like a sadly missed opportunity. The 4:3 picture has not been digitally remastered and shows its age, as does the muddy mono soundtrack. Only Ron Goodwin's wonderfully tongue-in-cheek music score comes across reasonably well. --Mark Walker

• People Next Door | DVD | (17/09/2012) from £9.98   |  Saving you £-3.00 (N/A%)   |  RRP £4.99

  Trust is their weapon. Innocence is their victim. Hollywood grande dame Faye Dunaway, the Oscar-winning star of such cinematic milestones as Bonnie and Clyde and Chinatown, gives a typically powerful performance as a domineering parent in this explosive drama about two lethal con-artists who kidnap the children of a struggling single mother, played by Desperate Housewives' Nicollette Sheridan. Garrett James (Oscar nominee Michael O'Keefe, Too Young To Die?) and his wife Donna seem the perfect neighbours. Kind, generous and desperate for children of their own, they are eagerly befriended by Anna Morse (Sheridan), a lonely waitress with three daughters who is fleeing from an abusive husband and who receives nothing but cold disapproval from her mother, Ellen (Dunaway). But the charismatic Jameses hide terrible secrets: they are wanted criminals, guilty of larceny and other, more deadly, schemes. Within no time at all, they have insinuated themselves into the children's lives while subtly undermining Anna's security. Suddenly, Garrett and Donna vanish, taking Anna's daughters with them. Receiving little help from the police or her mother, Anna has only one ally: Jack Driscoll (Ernie Lively, Overkill: The Aileen Wuornos Story), a hard-bitten cop who follows an intriguing trail of leads and uncovers horrific details of Garrett's psychotic past. Forced to cope with the realisation that her daughters are in the hands of a murderer, Anna must struggle to hold her life together while launching a valiant race against time to save them. The People Next Door is written by Fred Mills (Overkill: the Aileen Wuornos Story) and directed by Tim Hunter, whose controversial 1986 feature River's Edge (starring Keanu Reeves) was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival.

• The Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best | DVD | (29/10/2012) from £2.99   |  Saving you £10.00 (334.45%)   |  RRP £12.99

  Recently dumped by his girlfriend and his band perpetual underachiever Alex (Ryan O'Nan) toils away at a comically depressing real estate office picking up solo gigs wherever he can. After an altercation with a colleague (Wilmer Valderrama) he also finds himself jobless and without purpose. After hearing one of Alex's sets an eccentric spectator named Jim (Michael Weston) comes up with a plan for the two of them to tour the country as a musical duo. Realizing the state of his existential quandary Alex reluctantly joins Jim on the road. Despite gracelessly fumbling their way between bizarre shows and touring pitfalls Alex and Jim manage to play off one another and create a strangely alluring sound. When Cassidy (Arielle Kebbel) an inexperienced tour manager abruptly leaves them in a tight spot Alex abandons the tour and shows up at his older brother's (Andrew McCarthy) house looking for a place to stay. What follows is a crash course in self-actualization as Alex comes to terms with who he is in relation to what others expect of him.

• Basket Case - The Trilogy (Limited Edition 3-Disc Steelbook) | DVD | (22/10/2012) from £41.98   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £39.99

  What's in the basket? A question Duane Bradley is asked a lot when he arrives in New York and checks into the sleazy Hotel Broslin. Whi would guess it contains his grotesquely deformed brother Belial?! Seperated at birth, the Siamese twins have come looking for revenge on the doctors that left Belial for dead and now the basket-dweller's ready to wreak blood-soaked carnage. Where the original classic ends the sequels pick up and things start to get really wraped when the brothers meet their long lost aunt 'Granny Ruth' and her whole houseful of freaks. Special Features: A look at the making og the trilogy with Director Frank Henenlotter; Actors Kevin van Hentenryck, Beverly Bonner, Annie Ross; Producers Edgar Levans and James Glickenhaus; Make-up effects artists John Caglione Jr, Kevin Haney, Gabe Bartalos and Writer Uncle Bob Martin Interview with Graham Humphreys Video Introduction by Frank Henenlotter Audio Commentary by Frank Hennenlotter, Edgar Levins and Beverly Bonner Outtakes / Behind the Scenes 2001 Video Short: The Hotel Broslin Trailers / Rapid Spots Photo Gallery: Behind the Scenes, Promotional Material and Stills

• The Closer You Get | DVD | (06/10/2003) from £7.98   |  Saving you £1.00 (20.04%)   |  RRP £5.99

  The wedding bells in this Donegal village haven't rung for years and with so few eligible women left, the single men have little choice but to give up and leave.

• Karate Kid, The / The Karate Kid 2 / The Karate Kid 3 | DVD | (17/09/2001) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £34.99

  The Karate Kid was a hugely popular 1984 drama by John G Avildsen who had also directed the original fighting classic Rocky. The new kid in town (Ralph Macchio), targeted by karate-kicking bullies, gets himself a mentor in the form of the Japanese handyman (Pat Morita) from his apartment building. The mentor teaches him self-confidence, fighting skills and the art of karate. The screen partnership of Macchio's motor-mouth character and Morita's reserved father figure works well and the script allows for the younger man to develop sympathy for the painful memories of his teacher. But the film's real engine is the fighting, and there's plenty of that. The film went on to breed many Karate Kid wannabes in the mid-80s. Literally picking up about five minutes after the conclusion of the original, the 1986 sequel The Karate Kid 2 sends Ralph Macchio's and Pat Morita's characters to the latter's home turf in Japan, where the older man is confronted by an old rival, and Macchio's newly confident fighter gets a tougher challenge than the punks back home. Sillier than its predecessor, this follow-up at least has some distracting soap opera elements as Morita comes to terms with an old flame, while Macchio woos a lovely local girl. Ironically, it's the action that evokes laughter, particularly a climactic fight that gets over the top quickly. --Tom Keogh, Amazon.comIn a vain effort not to let a good thing die, director John G Avildsen attempted once more to revive the action and popularity of the original Karate Kid with the 1989 adventure, the third and final instalment. More silly and absurd than either of its predecessors Karate Kid 3 marked the final outing for the "Kid" Macchio (who was now 27) and his mentor, as the youth audience of the day moved away from the desire to be Karate Kids and toward the need to be Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles instead. --Nikki Disney

• Once Upon a Time - Es war einmal ... Die komplette Serie (42 Discs) | DVD | (05/08/2021) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

• She Wore A Yellow Ribbon | DVD | (30/04/2001) from £12.99   |  Saving you £-3.00 (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

  The second instalment of John Ford's famous cavalry trilogy, this meditative Western continues the director's fascination with history's obliteration of the past. It features one of John Wayne's more sensitive performances as Capt. Nathan Brittles, a stern yet sentimental war horse who has difficulty preparing for his impending military retirement. All things considered, he refuses to leave before fulfilling his obligation to the local Indian tribe. It's a film about honour and duty as well as loneliness and mortality. And Oscar-winner Winton C. Hoch beautifully photographs it in Remington-like Technicolor tones (you've never seen such stunning cloud-covered skies). The combination of melancholy and farce (Victor McLaglen makes a perfect court jester) evokes comparisons to Shakespeare. Best of all, the scene in which Wayne fights back tears when receiving a gold watch from his troops is unforgettably bittersweet. If you view the whole trilogy, it actually makes sense to save this for last. --Bill Desowitz, Amazon.com

• Christmas With Daniel O'Donnell | DVD | (29/10/2012) from £15.40   |  Saving you £-2.41 (N/A%)   |  RRP £12.99

  Originally released in 1996, Christmas with Daniel O'Donnell was filmed on location in his native Donegal. The DVD features 18 songs including White Christmas, Silent Night, When A Child Is Born, Silver Bells and An Old Christmas Card, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town. An Accompanying CD featuring 15 songs from the DVD is also included.

• Arsenal - A Backpass Through History -Limited Edition Book and 4 DVD set | DVD | (31/03/2014) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £44.99

  The Ultimate Limited Edition 4 DVD Book Set. This Illustrated Limited Edition hardback book together with four DVDs provides an insight into the unique journey of Arsenal one the most famous football clubs in the world. Follow the authoritative text charting a nostalgia-packed journey through the clubs evolution from its beginnings as a south London munitions factory team right through to the mighty Gunners and their ascent to the top of English football whilst having on their books some of the most talented players ever seen. With player career retrospectives and in depth statistical information together with a focus on the managers who have guided the club including a special feature on Arsene Wenger. This Limited Edition book looks at the special moments in Arsenal's history sing rare photographs images and unique television footage. Arsenal - A Backpass Through History also includes over four hours of vintage Arsenal matches and profiles some of The Gunners star players including John Radford Alan Ball Malcolm McDonald Liam Brady David O'Leary Tony Adams and Thierry Henry who can all be seen in this collection of action from 30 years of the ITV Sports archive.

• Artemis '81 | DVD | (09/07/2007) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £15.99

  Gideon Harlax a successful young novelist of the paranormal and unexplained thinks he has found the material for a new book. But as Gideon coldly exploits human tragedies angry powers from mans ancient past are gathering.

• As I Lay Dying | DVD | (23/06/2014) from £5.49   |  Saving you £10.50 (65.70%)   |  RRP £15.99

  Adapted from the classic novel by William Faulkner As I Lay Dying is the story that chronicles the Bundren family as they traverse the Mississippi countryside to bring the body of their deceased mother Addie to her hometown for burial. Addie's husband Anse (Tim Blake Nelson) and their children Cash (Jim Parrack) Darl (James Franco) and three of their siblings leave the farm with her coffin - each affected by Addie's death in a profound and different way. Their road trip to Jefferson forty miles away is disrupted by every antagonistic force of nature or man: flooded rivers injury and accident a raging barn fire and not least of all - each individual character's personal turmoil which threaten the fabric of the family more than any outside force.

• Xena: Warrior Princess - Series 5 | DVD | (24/09/2007) from £29.99   |  Saving you £5.00 (16.67%)   |  RRP £34.99

  Lucy Lawlwss returns as Xena in the fifth season of the popular fantasy series

• Will Smith - I, Robot / Independence Day / The Legend Of Bagger Vance | DVD | (13/03/2006) from £16.18   |  Saving you £8.81 (35.30%)   |  RRP £24.99

  Independence Day: One of the biggest box office hits of all time delivers the ultimate encounter when mysterious and powerful aliens launch an all-out invasion against the human race. The spectacle begins when massive spaceships appear in Earth's skies. But wonder turns to terror as the ships blast destructive beams of fire down on cities all over the planet. Now the world's only hope lies with a determined band of survivors uniting for one last strike against the invaders

• 2 Point 4 Children - Series 3 | DVD | (22/08/2005) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £16.99

  Statistically the Porters may just be an ordinary family. But there's nothing average about this razor-sharp comedy an endearingly demented portrait of modern family life by Andrew Marshall writer of the Emmy-winning Alexei Sayle's Stuff. Head of the household is Ben a dedicated central-heating engineer and easy-going husband and father. His idea of helping in the house is to change TV channels provided the remote control is within easy reach. Mainstay of the household is Bill a

• Slap Shot 3 - The Junior League | DVD | (26/12/2008) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

  Get ready for a rough - and - tumble comedy that knows how to kick some serious puck! When a ragtag youth team is on the verge of losing it their only hope lies with the most outrageous players to ever hit the ice The Hanson Brothers! Featuring comedy legend Leslie Nielsen and hockey greats Mark Messier and Doug Gilmour Slap Shot 3 adds an all-new hilarious chapter to the hardest-hitting most irreverent sports comedy franchise of all time!

• Nuts In May | DVD | (27/03/2000) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  An early masterpiece from Mike Leigh, Nuts in May is a filmed-for-TV adaptation of an earlier stage play. The cast is small (only five characters who matter), but the acting is impeccable, and the mix of wicked humour and social observation make this one of Leigh's best works. Keith Pratt, a man who fully earns his surname due to his nit-picking obsessions with order and detail, takes his partner Candice-Marie, a well-meaning but irritating hippie, on a camping trip. There they meet Trevor, a shy teacher who finds their enforced friendship intrusive but is too polite to extricate himself, and a brash young couple of bikers, Honky and Finger, whose loud and chaotic personalities lead them into conflict with the repressed and dogmatic Keith. Plot isn't the issue here, since Leigh is far more interested in teasing out the subtleties of human behaviour, which he does with forensic skill in several unforgettable scenes. Funny and painful at the same time, like all Leigh's successes, Nuts in May is brilliantly acted by all concerned, though special mention must go to Roger Sloman, for bringing to life the appalling but ultimately pitiable Keith, and Alison Steadman, whose portrayal of fey, goofy and tragi-comic Candice-Marie is every bit as memorable and nuanced as her more famous turn as Beverley in Leigh's Abigail's Party. --Andy Medhurst

• Harvey Girls, The | Blu Ray | (15/12/2020) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

• The Last Emperor | Blu Ray | (19/04/2010) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £15.99

  Winner of nine Oscars including Best Director and Best Picture Bernardo Bertolucci's The Last Emperor following Pu Yi the last of the Emperor's of China from his birth in 1908 through his childhood in the fortress-like Forbidden City and his later misguided collaboration with the Japanese in World War II THE LAST EMPEROR tells the history of modern China through the eyes of the man brought up to believe that he was the country's divine ruler. One of the biggest and most ambitious films of the era filmed almost entirely on location in China in 1986 Bertolucci and his producer Jeremy Thomas were the first Western film-makers to be allowed to make a film about modern China.

• Sharpe's Battle | DVD | (15/01/2007) from £7.92   |  Saving you £3.06 (62.07%)   |  RRP £7.99

  Major Richard Sharpe (Sean Bean) and his loyal band of chosen men return in Sharpe's Battle. Sharpe is given the task of preparing the glamorous Royal Irish Company led by Lord Kiely for their first encounter with the enemy. Previously only used for ceremonial duties the Company finds Sharpe a hard taskmaster. Trouble arises amongst the Irish soldiers when false reports are circulated of a massacre in Ireland perpetrated by the English. When Lord Kiely begins a passionate affair with Juanita the Spanish partisan leader the distressed Lady Kiely looks to Sharpe for comfort. Then Sharpe is led into a French trap and he and the Royal Irish Company find themselves up against the vicious Brigadier Loup and seemingly impossible odds.