For his first video Live at the Top of the Tower, Bolton comedian, actor and Channel 4 star Peter Kay returns to his roots--both as a stand up and by performing live in Blackpool, his childhood haunt. Bolstered by the acclaim heaped on his two television series (That Peter Kay Thing and Phoenix Nights), Kay is very much at the top of his game. Odd then that his live routine suffers from something of a false start, relying on characters from and references to his TV show and an awkward batch of jokes. Once settled though, Kay happily emerges as one of the funniest men in the country. His humour is fairly traditional in its sources but succeeds by its very universality. Much is made both of his family life and growing up in the 1980s, the reasons why he makes such a great guest on the rash of television shows dissecting the decade. His style will be very familiar to fans of Phoenix Nights (his words on the Northern club circuit: "tomorrow's acts at yesterday's prices, today"--are straight from his Brian Potter character) and his acting and writing have obviously been hugely influenced by his life as a stand up. He emerges from the video as a great visual comic, a brilliant mimic and an inspired observationalist--his piece on the perils of Teletext is one of the highlights. Those who have taken to the likes of Mark Park, Cheryl Avenue, Jerry Sinclair and Kay's countless other creations should not hesitate when it comes to Live at the Top of the Tower, nor should anyone else with a sense of humour. --Phil Udell
Some comedies secure cult status after just one episode. The first series of Phoenix Nights, created by and starring Bolton-born comic Peter Kay, is one of those rare gems that few saw on first showing but that everyone was soon talking about. Wheelchair-bound Brian Potter (Kay) runs the Phoenix, a shabby social club populated by an assortment of wonderfully observed characters. It's grim up North and despite the best efforts of the staff to inject life into the proceedings--be it an alternative comedy night, a version of Robot Wars in Potter's beloved Pennine Suite or a Wild West extravaganza--each evening's entertainment always ends badly. Undaunted, the Phoenix denizens continue to strive for their dream: a world in which "clubland never dies". Even though Kay is the focus of the show (having also directed and penned the series), this is no star vehicle; the hapless security guards, the club entertainer Jerry, and Ray Von the dodgy DJ all combine in an ensemble comedy the like of which hasn't been seen since Fawlty Towers. You have to watch it a couple of times just to catch all the visual gags, let alone pick up on all the nuances of the brilliantly written script. If you missed it first time round, now's your chance to own one of the best British sit-coms of recent years. On the DVD: Phoenix Nights on disc comes with a plethora of extras to enjoy. "One Man and His Horse" is behind the scenes footage of Trigger and his handler (who is almost as entertaining as his charge); there are some great deleted scenes, trailers for the first series and an episode-by-episode sequence of outtakes where the cast hilarity is definitely contagious. A commentary from Kay and some of the team consists more of reminiscence than information, but is well worth a listen. --Kristen Bowditch
The beginning of the second series of Phoenix Nights sees Brian Potter's beloved Phoenix Club lying in ashes and the staff scattered to the four winds. Even club compere Jerry St Clair is reduced to singing "Come get your black bin bags" to the tune of Men in Black in the local supermarket. But not even being barred from having a licence for the rest of his natural life can deter the northern Svengali from reopening the club and making it bigger and better than before--even if that means making Jerry the licensee and offering up-market Chinese nosh. This second instalment of Peter Kay's cult sit-com is more upbeat than the first, with some genuine success coming to the characters and club, but it still has its hilariously subversive undertones: a botched hit job; an inflatable castle with an extra appendage; and Brian stuck on his stair lift for a day after a power cut, to take just three examples. The script remains brilliantly surreal and incredibly funny. All the favourite characters remain, with club bouncers Paddy and Max featuring in a couple of the meatier storylines (perhaps setting them up for their own spin-off series?) and Jerry continuing to wow the crowds with his original vocal stylings, the highlight being the grand Stars in Their Eyes final in which he offers his own unique clubland take on Eminem. It's brilliantly original stuff: roll on Series 3. --Kristen Bowditch
Created by and starring Bolton-born comic Peter Kay, Phoenix Nights is one of those rare gems that few saw on first showing but that everyone was soon talking about. The first series introduces wheelchair-bound Brian Potter (Kay), who runs the titular Phoenix, a shabby social club populated by an assortment of wonderfully observed characters. It's grim up North and despite the best efforts of the staff to inject life into the proceedings--be it an alternative comedy night, a version of Robot Wars in Potter's beloved Pennine Suite or a Wild West extravaganza--each evening's entertainment always ends badly. Undaunted, the Phoenix denizens continue to strive for their dream: a world in which "clubland never dies". The beginning of the second series sees Brian Potter's beloved Phoenix Club lying in ashes and the staff scattered to the four winds. Even club compere Jerry St Clair is reduced to singing "Come get your black bin bags" to the tune of Men in Black in the local supermarket. But not even being barred from having a licence for the rest of his natural life can deter the northern Svengali from reopening the club and making it bigger and better than before--even if that means making Jerry the licensee and offering up-market Chinese nosh. --Kristen Bowditch
The drama was poured on aplenty in the second season of The O.C. , as the sun-dappled denizens of Orange County found their lives massively upended and then some. At the end of the first season, the Cohen household had been reduced to two--parents Sandy and Kirsten (Peter Gallagher and Kelly Rowan)--as the boys had flown the coop, moody Ryan (Benjamin McKenzie) back to Chino and goofy Seth (Adam Brody) for the wide expanse of the Pacific (somehow ending up in Portland, Oregon). Once the prodigal sons returned home, thanks to a lot of persuading, both tried to mend relationships with their former girlfriends, Marissa (Mischa Barton) and Summer (Rachel Bilson). While friendships were solidified, everyone was dating someone else: Seth was with sultry club manager Alex (Olivia Wilde), Summer with sensitive polo jock Zach (Michael Cassidy), Ryan with smart girl Lindsay (Shannon Lucio), and Marissa with her family's pool guy and a bottle of vodka. That's just the first half of this year of The O.C. , and we haven't even gotten to the adults yet. Both Sandy and Kirsten found themselves tempted away by more-than-willing suitors, and wicked Julie (Melinda Clarke), Marissa's mom, cheated on new husband Caleb (Alan Dale) with ex-husband Jimmy (Tate Donovan). An extremely tangled web was woven, one from which the show almost didn't recover: the Lindsay storyline started out strong but went nowhere, Sandy's ex-girlfriend (Kim Delaney) was a bit of a bore, and the same-sex relationship between Marissa and Alex never really gelled. All seemed like sure-fire character additions, but it was the later peripheral characters, including Billy Campbell as a magazine editor smitten with Kirsten and the menacing yet sexy Logan Marshall-Green as Ryan's ex-con brother, who injected The O.C. with energy, and helped steer the show back on course. Brody, who became the show's de facto poster boy, got to show off his comedic talents with the wonderful Bilson (who rode the Zach-Seth-Summer romantic triangle most smoothly), and the heretofore sullen McKenzie got to lighten up quite a bit, until the show's violent yet effective season finale. Forsaking a good amount of its comedy for drama, The O.C. got a little too seriously soapy, but its characters were so compelling you couldn't stop watching--even waiflike Marissa grew some edges. Clarke's scheming Julie was a constant pleasure to watch, and Rowan turned Kirsten's late-season downturn into a steely yet heartfelt portrayal. Despite the bumps, The O.C. remained one of the most exciting shows to look forward to week after week, a soap with smarts thanks to its fresh dialogue, gifted cast, and careening plot arcs. --Mark Englehart
K-19 The Widowmaker (Dir. Kathryn Bigelow 2002): Harrison Ford and Liam Neeson star in a thrilling action-drama inspired by the true story of a Soviet submarine crew trying to save its vessel from a nuclear meltdown - and avert global war. Witness (Dir. Peter Weir 1985): When a young Amish woman (McGillis) and her son (Haas) are caught up in the murder of an undercover narcotics agent their unlikely savior proves to be the worldly and cynical Philadelphia detective J
Times are hard for habitual guest of Her Majesty Norman Stanley Fletcher (Ronnie Barker). The new prison officer Beale makes Mackay (Fulton Mackay) look soft and what's more an escape plan is hatching from the cell of prison godfather Grouty and Fletcher wants no part of it. The breakout is set for the day of a morale-raising football match between a ""celebrity"" football team and the inmates of Slade. Everything is going to plan until Godber (Richard Beckinsale) is injured on th
2 Movie Collection Includes an Exclusive Colour-In Sloth Mask! The Croods: Join the Croods on the journey of a lifetime in the epic comedy-adventure about the family bonds that are tested but can never be broken. When Guy (Ryan Reynolds), an inventive young man, comes into Eep's (Emma Stone) life, her father, Grug (Nicolas Cage), sees his status as the protector of the family threatened. When their cave is destroyed, the Croods have no choice but to trust the newcomer and set out to explore a spectacular landscape filled with fantastic creatures, strange surprises and a whole new world of adventure! Bonus Features: The Croodaceous Creatures of Croods, Belt's Cave Journal, Croods' Cuts (Lost Scenes), Be an Artist, And more! The Croods: A New Age: The first prehistoric family is ready for another rocking adventure! The Croods have survived fanged beasts, natural disasters, and even young love, but now they must face their biggest challenge yet: another family! In search of a new home, the Croods discover a walled-in paradise created by the sophisticated Betterman family (emphasis on the better). As they try to coexist, the differences between the two families escalate into a full-blown feud, but when a new threat forces both families to embark on an epic adventure, they must all learn to work together...or they'll all go extinct! Nicolas Cage, Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds, and Peter Dinklage star in this hilarious animated comedy for the whole family! Bonus Features: Includes 2-ALL-NEW EXCLUSIVE SHORTS, plus deleted scenes, How to Draw: Caveman Style, Stone Age Snack Attack, Famileaf Album, and more
Series 1 and 2 of Peter Kay's acclaimed TV comedy Phoenix Nights. Legendary social club owner Brian Potter and his band of staff and regulars are determined to make the Phoenix Club successful no matter what. Nothing will get in their way...
The first prehistoric family is ready for another rocking adventure! The Croods have survived fanged beasts, natural disasters, and even young love, but now they must face their biggest challenge yet: another family! In search of a new home, the Croods discover a walled-in paradise created by the sophisticated Betterman family (emphasis on the better). As they try to coexist, the differences between the two families escalate into a full-blown feud, but when a new threat forces both families to embark on an epic adventure, they must all learn to work together...or they'll all go extinct! Nicolas Cage, Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds, and Peter Dinklage star in this hilarious animated comedy for the whole family! With Even More Croods Fun for the Whole Family: Includes an EXCLUSIVE COLOUR-IN SLOTH MASK! With TONS OF SPECIAL FEATURES and extra content, including 2 all-new Croods Shorts! Plus Deleted Scenes, How to Draw: Caveman Style, Stone Age Snack Attack, Famileaf Album, and more
The Total Beach Experience Glamour. Glitz. Schemes. Dreams. The O.C. is the place to be. The complete series is yours in this extras-loaded DVD set. Outsider Ryan, quick-witted Seth, girls-next-door Summer and Marissa and more -- all the characters you love (or sometimes love to hate) are here in episodes alive with laughs and drama, indie bands and Chrismukkah, and featuring real insights into teens and parents, what's in and what matters, growing up and moving on. There's nothing like a da...
Episodes: Crocodile Tears Guess Who's Coming to Dinner Abide with Me The Weekend The Hostage The Path of True Love But Is It Art? A Christmas Story Speed's Return Rebel Without a Pause The Tooting Connection Working Class Hero Spanish Fly Right to Work Rock Bottom.
Having mistakenly been sent as an apprentice to pirates young Frederic is happy to leave his indentures on his 21st birthday. Falling in love with the beautiful Mabel one of the many daughters of Major-General Stanley he decides to marry. However the pirates are all to keen to marry the rest of Stanley's daughters! A spectacular interpretation of the Gilbert and Sullivan classic!
Time has looked at your faces now. And time never forgets It's a new term at Coal Hill Academy, and students are preparing for their Autumn Prom. But when the school comes under attack from deadly monsters, four alienated students must form an unlikely alliance to defeat them. Like all teenagers, these four Coal Hill School students have hidden secrets and desires. They are facing their own worst fears, navigating a life of friends, parents, school work, sex, sorrow - and possibly the end of existence. And this incursion is only the beginning Charlie, April, Ram and Tanya, under the watchful eye of Physics teacher Miss Quill, are now charged with a great responsibility by the mysterious alien known as The Doctor: protect Coal Hill and guard against the creatures of nightmare that want nothing more than to find a way through to Earth and take it for their own.
Legendary social club owner Brian Potter and his hapless band of staff and regulars are determined to make Phoenix Club a success no matter what. Not even a racist folk band an unforeseeable psychic or a drunken horse will get in the way of their dream that 'Clubland will never die'. The complete second series of Peter Kay's award winning show.
Time has looked at your faces now. And time never forgets It's a new term at Coal Hill Academy, and students are preparing for their Autumn Prom. But when the school comes under attack from deadly monsters, four alienated students must form an unlikely alliance to defeat them. Like all teenagers, these four Coal Hill School students have hidden secrets and desires. They are facing their own worst fears, navigating a life of friends, parents, school work, sex, sorrow - and possibly the end of existence. And this incursion is only the beginning Charlie, April, Ram and Tanya, under the watchful eye of Physics teacher Miss Quill, are now charged with a great responsibility by the mysterious alien known as The Doctor: protect Coal Hill and guard against the creatures of nightmare that want nothing more than to find a way through to Earth and take it for their own.
1991 – seven year-old Jane bears witness to the inexplicable murder of her mother. Jane saw the killer’s face but despite investigation his identity and motive remain unknown and to this day he roams free. Twenty-three years later Jane (Clare Goose - Mount Pleasant Exile Waking the Dead) is a grown woman married with a daughter of her own. Her mother’s murder still haunts her and the spectre of that man has stalked her into adult life. She wakes up and the thought of him is there… She goes to work and the thought of him is there… She returns home at night and the thought of him is there… One day she pays a routine visit to the local hospital and comes face to face with him. Jane is utterly convinced that she has found her mother’s killer a ghost from the past here in the flesh. She sets about trying to prove it any way that she can determined to bring to justice the man who took her mother away. But what if Andrew Rawlins (Peter Firth - World Without End Spooks) a well-respected doctor and a beloved family man is just as ordinary and innocent as he claims. After all Jane has been wrong before… Written by acclaimed writer Chris Lang (A Mother’s Son The Reckoning) this gripping and tense psychological thriller for ITV1 co-stars Felix Scott (Doc Martin Missing) Christine Bottomley (DCI Banks) and Pippa Haywood (Scott & Bailey).
Live. Laugh. Lie. Cheat. Grow. Share. Connive. Love. In California's beach paradise they do everything under the sun. There's trouble (and plenty of fun) in paradise in this Season 2 collection of the smash-hit series set in Orange County's posh Newport Beach. Hook up with what's coming down as the core-four romances of Ryan-and-Marissa and Seth-and-Summer may (or may not) go from very over to very on; Sandy and Kirsten face choices that could trainwreck their 20-year
Senior year, Prom, Graduation, College visits, Old friends, New problems, And plenty of Korean popstars. Ryan's savior complex becomes a recipe for disaster. Seth and Summer's relationship hits the rocks thanks to Seth's compulsion to edit the truth. As Kirsten attempts to put her life back together, Sandy assumes leadership of the Newport Group and finds himself the heir-apparent to Caleb Nichol's legacy of scandal. Marissa spirals out of control after little sis Kaitlin - a Julie Cooper in the making - returns home to stir the pot. And speaking of Julie Cooper, she'scast out of her Palace - into the slums of the OC. No sign of senioritis here. All 25 episodes lead to the most shocking season finale yet. With humor, heart, great music and all the teen angst you could hope for (and more)
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