His Girl Friday is one of the five greatest dialogue comedies ever made. Howard Hawks had his cast play it at breakneck speed, and audiences hyperventilate trying to finish with one laugh so they can do justice to the four that have accumulated in the meantime. Rosalind Russell, not Hawks' first choice to play Hildy Johnson--the ace newsperson whom demonic editor Walter Burns is trying to keep from quitting and getting married--is triumphant in the part, holding her own as "one of the guys" and creating an enduring feminist icon. Cary Grant's Walter Burns is a force of nature, giving a performance of such concentrated frenzy and diamond brilliance that you owe it to yourself to devote at least one viewing of the movie to watching him alone. But then you have to go back (lucky you) and watch it again for the sake of the press-room gang--Roscoe Karns, Porter Hall, Cliff Edwards, Regis Toomey, Frank Jenks, and others--the kind of ensemble work that gets character actors onto Parnassus. --Richard T Jameson, Amazon.com
A classic adaptation of Shakespeare's play. Richard III has helped to put his older brother Edward on the throne of England. But jealousy and resentment cause Richard to seek the crown for himself and he conceives a lengthy and carefully calculated plan using deception manipulation and outright murder to achieve his goal. His plotting soon had tumultuous consequences both for himself and for England when after Edward IV is murdered - drowned in a vat of wine - Richard finds his kingdom in dire peril and must defend his realm at the battle of Bosworth.
A hard-boiled mystery starring Frank Sinatra as the tough-as-nails Detective Joe Leland The Detective was based on a novel by Roderick Thorp. Called in to investigate the murder of Teddy Leikman the homosexual son of a well-connected department store mogul Leland executes an open-and-shut investigation. He quickly elicits a confession from Teddy's crazy roommate and the defendant is convicted and executed while Leland scores a promotion. But when the widow of an accountan
Much like Richard Adams' wonderful novel this animated tale of wandering rabbits is not meant for small children. It is, however, rich storytelling, populated with very real individuals inhabiting a very real world. The animation is problematic, sometimes appearing out of proportion or just below par; but it seems to stem from an attempt at realism, something distinguishing the film's characters from previous, cutesy, animated animals. A band of rabbits illegally leave their warren after a prophecy of doom from a runt named Fiver (voiced by Richard Briers). In search of a place safe from humans and predators, they face all kinds of dangers, including a warren that has made a sick bargain with humankind, and a warren that is basically a fascist state. Allegories aside, Down is engaging and satisfying, and pulls off the same amazing trick that the novel did--you'll forget that this is a story about rabbits. --Keith Simanton, Amazon.com
Director Stephen Daldry brings another literary classic to the screen with this adaptation of a novel by Bernhard Schlink and starring Kate Winslet.
Disney does Dickens in this animated version of Oliver Twist, in which a homeless New York City cat falls in with a bunch of mischievous dogs under the leadership of the appealing scoundrel Fagin. The roots of Disney's success with animation in the 1990s begins with this clever, energetic, atmospheric movie, which succeeds in capturing the grim world Dickens conjured. Lyricist Howard Ashman (The Little Mermaid) worked on the songs, the best of which is sung by Billy Joel, who provides the voice of (the Artful) Dodger. --Tom Keogh
Harry, Ron and Hermione set out on their perilous mission to track down and destroy the secret to Voldemort's immortality and destruction – the Horcruxes. On their own and on the run, the three friends must now rely on one another more than ever... but Dark Forces in their midst threaten to tear them apart. Meanwhile, the wizarding world has become a dangerous place. The long-feared war has begun and the Dark Lord has seized control of the Ministry of Magic and even Hogwarts, terrorising and arresting all who might oppose him. The Chosen One has become the hunted one as the Death Eaters search for Harry with orders to bring him to Voldemort... alive.
Tony Palmer's epic film was made in 1982/3 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Wagner's death. Filmed in 200 locations throughout Europe, many where the actual historical events took place, with a team from 19 different countries, the entire production was completed in less than a year. Sadly Wagner was to be Richard Burton's last major role, but the stellar cast - including Laurence Oliver, John Gielgud, Ralph Richardson, Vanessa Redgrave, Lszl Gllfi, Gemma Craven, Ekkehardt Schall, Richard Pasco, Marthe Keller, Gabriel Byrne, Franco Nero, Ronald Pickup, Corin Redgrave, Cyril Cusack, Prunella Scales, Andrew Cruickshank, Joan Greenwood, Liza Goddard, Bill Fraser, Arthur Lowe, Joan Plowright, with composer Sir William Walton in a cameo role - assembled partly because of him.Only now is the film being released on DVD as its director Tony Palmer wishes it to be viewed. Previously it's been seen in badly edited versions and been made available on DVD (reproduced from poor-quality VHSs) with sub-standard pictures and sound. Finally, here is the restored presentation as it was originally edited by Tony Palmer in its complete 7 hours 46 minutes duration, issued in wide-screen, re-mastered in Hi-Definition. The music, performed by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Sir Georg Solti with singers including Dame Gwyneth Jones and Peter Hofmann, has never sounded better, and the astonishing images of cameramen Vittorio Storaro and Nic Knowland have never looked better.The script by Charles Wood remains a miracle of historical compression and accuracy, given that Wagner himself was an appalling fantasist and the truth often hard to ascertain. And Richard Burton, who towers above the production, reminds us what a great actor he was. This is a fitting tribute to his - and to Wagner's - genius.
A man runs for his life through the moors breathless and frightened. Behind him we hear the baying of a hound a sound so fearful it chills the soul. The man falls. From the desolate rocky nightscape another man peers: He is bearded and rough looking perhaps a convict from the nearby prison.... Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce star in their first outing as Holmes and Watson in this celebrated adaptation of The Hound Of The Baskervilles....
A "tontine" is drawn up on behalf several young British boys. Each of the boys' parents had placed 1000 pounds in a pool, to be invested and expanded upon. The resultant fortune will go to the last surving member of the tontine. A series of montages depicts the various demises of the heirs. Finally, only two of the tontine participants are left: aged brothers Ralph Richardson and John Mills. On his last legs, Mills is determined that Richardson will not outlive him, and to that end attempts to kill his brother; each attempt fails spectacularly, with the doddering Richardson none the wiser. Standing to benefit from the tontine are Mills' dimwitted med-student son Michael Caine and Richardson's greedy nephews Peter Cook and Dudley Moore. When Richardson is supposedly killed in a train wreck, Cook and Moore don't want the authorities to find out, so they appropriate what they think is their uncle's corpse and ship it home in a box. Thus it is that Caine finds the body of a perfect stranger on his doorstep. The farcical complications begin flying about thick and fast from this point onward. Among the participants in this wacky film are such formidable talents as Peter Sellers, Tony Hancock, Wilfred Lawson, Thorley Walters, Norman Rossington, Irene Handl and Cicely Courtenedge. Based on a novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, The Wrong Box is a delightful harkback to the glory days of Britain's Ealing comedies.
Wallow in nostalgia of the 1950's as Britain's best loved family are back in this celebration of love family life and romance in the idyllic British countryside. Loveable rogue Pop Larkin ample-bosomed Ma and their six children radiate happiness and hardly have a care in the world. Whilst Pop's unconventional moneymaking schemes bubble along Ma nurtures the family from the fragrant warmth of her busy kitchen and the children blossom; Home Farm is a paradise of animals sunshine and happiness. Episodes comprise: The Darling Buds Of May When The Green Woods Laugh A Breath Of French Air Oh! To Be In England A Stranger At The Gates A Season Of Heavenly Gifts The Happiest Days Of Your Life Cast Not Your Pearls Before Swine Climb The Greasy Pole Christmas Is Coming Le Grand Weekend.
First it was teacher to student. Then it was father to son. Now it's man to man. Karate Kid Daniel Larusso risks losing it all when he places pride before principle in this dramatic film that reunites stars Ralph Macchio and Noriyuku ""Pat"" Morita. When Daniel (Macchio) decides not to compete in the upcoming karate championship he becomes the target vicious Cobra Kai student Mike Barnes (Sean Kanan) who is determined to win the title back. Standing firm Daniel's mentor and trainer Mr. Miyagi (Morita) instructs him to ignore Mike's threats - and stay away from the tournament. But when Mike's relentless abuse escalates into blackmail Daniel finds himself forced into competition - and at serious odds with Miyagi the one person he cherishes most. Desperate Daniel turns to another karate instructor Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith) whose violent combat techniques are directly opposed to Miyagi's wise instruction. But when Daniel realises that Terry and Mike are allied with Mr Miyagi's old nemesis Kreese (Martin Kove) in an elaborate set-up for revenge he also knows he has alienated the only person who can help him. A riveting story of independence inner strength and self-enlightenment The Karate Kid - Part 3 is a powerful new chapter in this popular series of films.
Even now Richard Wagner (1813-83) remains an enigma. His was a rags-to-riches saga with a fairy tale ending. He was loved yet hated admired yet despised a villain yet a hero who was worshipped a man whose fame and exploits were the gossip of Europe. Above all he was an incurable romantic whose love affair with Liszt's illegitimate daughter rivals that of Romeo and Juliet in excitement and drama. But he was also a dangerous political revolutionary whose influence penetrated the
The ever-dashing Errol Flynn stars alongside Fred MacMurray in this action packed drama set at the U.S. Naval Air Station in San Diego during the uncertain year of 1941. With war already raging in Europe U.S. Forces began to prepare for their seemingly inevitable involvement in the conflict. As part of the preparation Naval flight surgeon Lt. Doug Lee (Errol Flynn) is determined to eradicate pilot blackout and altitude sickness thus handing U.S. pilots an immeasurable advantage. With the initially reluctant help of Lt. Com Joe Blake (Fred MacMurray) the two men risk their own lives in order to find a cure.
The smash hit sequel to Deanna Durbin's debut film 'Three Smart Girls' THREE SMART GIRLS GROW UP saw Deanna once more taking on the role that made her name and singing her signature song 'Because'.Deanna stars as Penny Craig the youngest of three sisters. When the handsome and debonair Richard Watkins (William Lundigan) proposes to her sister Joan everyone in the Craig household is delighted except for Penny's other sister Kay. She was secretly in love with Richard too...Determined to help young Penny turns to the family butler for advice. He says that Kay will forget all about Richard when she meets another 'tall dark and handsome' man. Never one to duck a challenge Penny finds just such a man to court her sister Kay - Harry Loren. Only Harry then falls madly in love with Joan... and everyone thinks Penny secretly loves Harry! Will the course of true love ever run smoothly in the Craig Household?Apart from the captivating 'Because' THREE SMART GIRLS also sees Deanna Durbin performing three other charming musical numbers 'Invitation to the Dance' 'La Capinera' and 'The Last Rose of Summer'.
Both an artistic and a commercial triumph, Steven Spielberg's Schindler's List manages to find some small glimmer of hope for the human spirit amid the abomination that was the Holocaust. The true story of flamboyant entrepreneur Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson) and his attempts to save Jewish lives under the very noses of his Nazi associates gives Spielberg a focal point of conscience and humanity in an otherwise unrelentingly grim depiction of mankind's worst traits, here memorably embodied by Ralph Fiennes as the sadistic Nazi commandant Amon Goeth. Spielberg's determined and unflinching vision is supported by a dignified score from regular collaborator John Williams, and evocative black-and-white cinematography by Janusz Kaminski, which alternates a semi-documentary feel for the harrowing ghetto and concentration camp sequences with an altogether more decadent sensibility for the Nazis. The single use of colour tells of horror more shocking than any words could convey. It's true that towards the end Spielberg lets his sentimental streak off the leash when he chooses to focus on Schindler's grief, but otherwise this is filmmaking of the highest kind: compellingly dramatic, profoundly educational, and unfailingly emotive in the very best sense. On the DVD: Schindler's List is thinly spread across two discs, with a break at just over two hours into this three-hour movie. It's a little surprising that the feature could not have fitted onto one disc, especially given the absence of commentary or other additional tracks. The 1.85:1 anamorphic picture is fine, though displaying the graininess of the original film stock. Sound is available in highly detailed DTS. Extras on the second disc are limited to Voices from the List, a 77-minute documentary featuring the personal testimony of Schindler survivors, and an 11-minute feature on Spielberg's Shoah Foundation. There's nothing at all about the making of the movie. --Mark Walker
A classic tale of cowardice and bravery Alexander Korda's Oscar-nominated adaptation of A.E.W. Mason's iconic novel is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular of the early Technicolor films. With sweeping battle scenes and a tightly constructed script by Oscar-nominated R.C. Sherriff this is a bold military epic featuring evocative locations and a pounding score by Miklos Rozsa. Showcasing outstanding performances from both John Clements and Ralph Richardson The Four Feathers is featured here in a High Definition transfer made from original film elements in its as-exhibited theatrical aspect ratio. Harry Faversham born into a distinguished military family automatically joins the army with three close childhood friends – Durrance Willoughby and Burroughs. Quickly feeling that he is unsuited to the army life and newly engaged to Ethne he resigns his commission only to be accused of cowardice by his friends. Each sends him the traditional white feather in contempt; the fourth is plucked from Ethne's fan. Realising the disgrace he has brought to himself and his family Harry sets out alone to the distant war to redeem himself... Special Features: Original theatrical trailer A Day at Denham newsreel film Archive 1975 interview with Ralph Richardson Image gallery
A journalist (Grant) boards the Orient Express to deliver his powerful book which exposes the nascent neo-Nazi movement in Europe. En route he meets and rapidly falls in love with Cera (Welch) a performer travelling with her young daughter. All the while an unusual stranger (McDowell) is watching them. Who is he and may he be connected with a clan of skinheads which are causing terror?
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