"Actor: Simon Jones"

• Zulu Dawn | DVD | (05/01/2004) from £9.99   |  Saving you £4.00 (40.04%)   |  RRP £13.99

  Cy Endfield cowrote the epic prequel Zulu Dawn 15 years after his enormously popular Zulu. Set in 1879, this film depicts the catastrophic Battle of Isandhlwana, which remains the worst defeat of the British army by natives--the British contingent was outnumbered 16-to-1 by the Zulu tribesmen. The film's opinion of events is made immediately clear in its title sequence: ebullient African village life presided over by King Cetshwayo is contrasted with aristocratic artifice under the arrogant eye of General Lord Chelmsford (Peter O'Toole). Chelmsford is at the heart of all that goes wrong, initiating the catastrophic battle with an ultimatum made seemingly for the sake of giving his troops something to do. His detached manner leads to one mistake after another and this is wryly illustrated in a moment when neither he nor his officers can be bothered to pronounce the name of the land they're in. That it's a beautiful land none the less is made clear by the superb cinematography, which drinks in the massive open spaces that shrink the British army to a line of red ants. Splendidly stiff-upper-lipped support comes from a heroic Burt Lancaster and a fluffy, yet gruff, Bob Hoskins. Although the story is less focused and inevitably more diffuse than the concentrated events of Rorke's Drift that followed soon after, Zulu Dawn is an unflinchingly honest depiction of British Imperial diplomacy. --Paul Tonks

• Spaced: Series 2 | DVD | (19/06/2006) from £6.40   |  Saving you £14.85 (288.91%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Simon Pegg and Jessica Stevenson return as Tim Bisley and Daisy Steiner - two hopeless twentysomethings sharing a flat and pretending to be a couple. Joining them on their urban adventures are wine-swilling landlady Marsha the rather intense artist who lives downstairs Brian Tim's best friend and would-be TA soldier Mike and Daisy's best friend the air-headed Twist. Episodes Comprise: 1.Back 2.Change 3.Mettle 4.Help 5.Gone 6.Dissolution 7.Leaves

• Spaced: Series 1 | DVD | (19/06/2006) from £11.98   |  Saving you £10.00 (100.10%)   |  RRP £19.99

  The complete first series of the groundbreaking Channel 4 sitcom. Spaced is the story of enthusiastic but directionless Daisy Steiner (Jessica Stephenson) and wired urban surfer Tim Bisley (Simon Pegg) two twenty-somethings who lie about being a 'professional married couple' in order to get tenancy of a North London flat. As the story progresses the potent mix of Tim and Daisy's friends interests and ambitions lead them into a bizarre world perched precariously on the edge of normality. Episodes Comprise: 1.Beginnings 2.Gatherings 3.Art 4.Battles 5.Chaos 6.Epiphanies 7.Ends

• Doctor In Trouble | DVD | (14/04/2003) from £12.98   |  Saving you £-2.99 (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

  The madcap doctor team are at it again! This time Dr. Burke stows away on a cruise ship when his girlfriend is assigned a modelling job aboard the vessel and ends up as a ship's doctor.

• All Creatures Great And Small | DVD | (24/09/2001) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

  Claude Whatham's 1974 film All Creatures Great and Small is a modest and charming cornucopia of nostalgia, cuddly calves, romance and acerbic-yet-warm-hearted Yorkshire folk. It's based of course on James Herriot's phenomenally popular tales of a vet's life in the Dales and spawned a long-running BBC series with a different cast. Here, we have a fresh-faced Simon Ward as James, joining Siegfried Farnon's small town practice. As the benignly despotic Farnon, a pre-Hannibal Lecter Anthony Hopkins already exudes plenty of brooding charisma. Lisa Harrow, fetching in 1930s slacks, is Helen, the farmer's daughter who catches James' eye. Their adventures with the local animal populace in the incredibly beautiful pre-Second World War Dales run the gamut, from arms up cows' bottoms to tender birthing scenes, over-indulged pooches, horses with torsions and one moment which will strike a poignant note with pet owners of all ages. It's taught and witty thanks to distinguished dramatist Hugh Whitemore's delightful script and as comforting as a warm blanket, a stodgy tea and a roaring fire on a winter's evening. On the DVD: with no extras apart from the chapter list, this is a basic package. Presented in 1.85:1 Anamorphic aspect ratio and a Dolby Digital 2.0 soundtrack, it's easy viewing, offering more than adequate picture and sound quality. --Piers Ford

• Ken Loach: My Name Is Joe, Raining Stones, Riff Raff | DVD | (01/01/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £17.99

  My Name Is JoeKen Loach's My Name Is Joe is a slice of life so raw that you can see the blood dripping off it and as in real life it mixes humour passion tragedy and violence in equal measure. Joe (Peter Mullan) is a recovering alcoholic and has done a few things in his past which he'd rather forget. Like most people he knows he's out of work but he keeps sane by coaching the self-styled worst football team in Glasgow. When one of Joe's players Liam gets involved with some local gangsters a chain of events is set in motion which not only threatens the lives of those concerned but also comes between Joe's budding love affair with social worker Sarah (Louise Goodall). Raining StonesBob Williams is a survivor. He supplements his dole by becoming embroiled in whatever scam is on offer from rustling sheep to rotting drains. But now life has dealt him a bitter blow. His van has been stolen and his daughter Colleen is approaching her first communion. She needs the traditional white dress shoes veil and gloves. Where on earth is the money going to come from? Raining Stones is a funny and essentially human story of survival in the nineties and people's aspirations for a better way of life. Riff RaffStevie a young Glaswegian just out of Barlinnie prison comes down to London and gets a job on a building site - a melting pot of itinerant laborers from all over the country. Here he has to contend with Mick the bossy ganger trying - but usually failing to control his workers Shem Mo and Larry and the other lads as they duck and dive the rules and regulations of the building trade. Stevie has other problems to contend: the wages are low the site teems with rats he has nowhere to sleep and life in London isn't that easy. One day on his way to work Stevie finds a handbag in a skip. He takes it back to it owner and meets Susan. As Stevie and Susan learn to live with the ups and downs of life in London Riff-Raff builds a portrait - sometimes gritty often funny of life as it is lived in the margins.

• Monty Python's The Meaning of Life | DVD | (04/09/2000) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Returning to the sketch-show format of their earlier days, Monty Python' s The Meaning of Life was always going to feel less ambitious and less coherent than their cinematic masterpiece, The Life of Brian. And inevitably given the format, some sketches are better than others. But, for a movie that has been much-maligned, The Meaning of Life actually features some of the Pythons' most memorable set-pieces: the exploding Mr Creosote has to be the most wonderfully grotesque creation of a team whose speciality was the grotesque; while the sublime "Sperm Song" mixes satire and lavish visual humour in a musical skit of breathtaking audacity. Elsewhere, Eric Idle produces another musical gem with "The Universe Song" ("Pray that there's intelligent life somewhere out in space / 'Cause there's bugger all down here on earth!"), while the Grim Reaper's appearance at an achingly tedious dinner party is the Pythons doing what they do best: mocking their own middle-class origins. Best of all, perhaps, is Terry Gilliam's modest introductory feature, "The Crimson Permanent Assurance", a 20-minute epic tale of the little men rebelling against the corporate system, a theme and a visual style that foreshadows his own masterwork, Brazil. Admittedly too many sketches sacrifice subtlety for shock tactics (the organ donation scene in particular requires a strong stomach), but when this film works it's nothing less than vintage Python. --Mark Walker

• Privates On Parade | DVD | (27/10/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £14.99

  1947: the members of SADUSEA (Song And Dance Unit South East Asia) fall in and out of love while trying to dodge Malayan Communist bullets...

• Spaced: Complete Series 1 and 2 (Box Set) | DVD | (12/04/2004) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Spaced is a sitcom like no other. The premise is simple enough: Daisy (Jessica Stevenson) and Tim (Simon Pegg) are out of luck and love, so pretend to be a couple in order to rent a flat together. Downstairs neighbour and eccentric painter Brian suspects someone's fibbing, and almost blows their cover with their lecherous lush of a landlady, Marsha. Fortunately he soon falls for Daisy's health-freak friend Twist, while Daisy herself goes ga-ga for pet dog Colin. Tim remains happily platonic with lifemate Mike; a sweet-at-heart guns 'n' ammo obsessive. The series is chock-full of pop culture references. In fact, each episode is themed after at least one movie, with nods to The Shining and Close Encounters of the Third Kind proving especially hilarious. Hardly five minutes goes by without a Star Wars reference, and every second of screen time from Bill Bailey as owner of the comic shop where Tim works is comedic gold. The look of the series is its other outstanding element, with slam-zooms, dizzying montages, and inspired lighting effects (often paying homage to the Evil Dead movies). It's an affectionate fantasy on the life of the twenty-something that's uncomfortably close to the truth. The second series finds the gang at 23 Meteor Street a little older, but definitely none the wiser. Tim's career is hampered by severe hang-ups over The Phantom Menace. Daisy's career is just plain non-existent. There is still a spark of sexual tension between them, but it's overshadowed by Brian and Twist getting it on. Propelling the seven-episode series arc is the threat of Marsha discovering that none of the relationships are what they seem, Mike's increasing jealousy and a new love interest for Tim. That's the basis for a never-ending stream of in-jokes and references that easily match the quality of the first series. Tim has a Return of the Jedi flashback, then déjà vu in reliving the end of The Empire Strikes Back. There are spoofs of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Robocop, The Sixth Sense and comedy rival The Royle Family. There are guest spots from Bill Bailey, Peter (voice of Darth Maul) Serafinowicz and The League of Gentlemen's Mark Gatiss and Reece Shearsmith. Every episode is packed with highlights, but this series' guaranteed geek pant-wetting moments have to be the mock gun battles, slagging off Babylon 5 and learning that "The second rule of Robot Club is: no smoking." Jessica Stevenson won a British Comedy Award for this year. It deserved a whole lot more. --Paul Tonks On the DVD: Series 1 includes trailers, out-takes, deleted scenes with commentary, cast, crew, and character biographies and a full audio commentary by the director and cast. Series 2 features a chaotic but highly enthusiastic commentary from the director and cast, including of course Simon Pegg and Jessica Stevenson, who also talk about some deleted scenes and why they were removed. There's an outtakes blooper reel, as well as a selection of raw location footage and a self-explanatory clip, "Daisy Does Elvis". The most useful feature, though, is the subtitle "Homage-o-Meter" facility, which displays all the movie references throughout the series. --Paul Tonks/Mark Walker

• Operation Delta Force 3: Clear Target | DVD | (15/04/2002) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £2.99

  Spy satellite code name Iris One has been launched by the U.S. in a desperate attempt to curb the ruthless drug cartels and Delta Force is back in action attacking and destroying the stockpiles of illegal drugs wherever in the world they may be hidden. But when the Delta team wipes out a billion-dollar stash of cocaine belonging to Colombian drug lord Umberto Salvatore they've taken on more than they bargained for. At a gathering of crime lords in Italy Salvatore unveils a daring plot to bring the United States to its knees and he enlists the aid of the world's gangster elite to pull it off. Meanwhile Salvatore's men hijack the most sophisticated stealth submarine in the U.S. fleet the USS Roosevelt and rig the on-board missiles to fire if the sub is attacked. Delta Force is reassembled to take out Salvaltore and at all costs stop the submarine with its chemical weapons payload aimed at the United Nations building and an unsuspecting New York City. The clock is ticking the action is getting hotter and millions of lives are in the hands of a vicious madman...Delta Force is the only answer!

• The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy | UMD | (05/09/2005) from £12.99   |  Saving you £6.00 (46.19%)   |  RRP £18.99

• The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy - Giftpack | DVD | (05/09/2005) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £29.99

  Arthur Dent finds himself exploring the great unknown in this adaptation of the classic book.

• Heroes' Mountain | DVD | (04/08/2003) from £6.73   |  Saving you £13.26 (66.30%)   |  RRP £19.99

  On July 30th 1997 in Thredbo Australia 60 people were buried alive by an avalanche. One of those Stuart Diver wearing only his underwear managed to stay alive. With the rescuers working tirelessly to find survivors after a massive 65 hours in the freezing temperatures Diver was trying to let them know that he was alive buried under the rubble...

• Real Life Action At The Building Site | DVD | (10/05/2004) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £5.99

  See how houses are built with Tikkabilla's Simon Davies! The perfect DVD for children who love diggers dumpers cranes forklifts and cement mixers!

• Frogmen | DVD | (15/12/2008) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £5.99

  The Frogmen a group of elite soldiers led by Captain Rick Jeffries swim into action in pursuit of a world travelling terrorist known only as Casper. It is up to the Frogmen to capture Casper and bring him back alive.

• Merchant Of Death | DVD | (03/09/2001) from £17.22   |  Saving you £-11.24 (N/A%)   |  RRP £2.99

  Hard bitten cop Jim Randall's colleague is gunned down in an ambush. Jim becomes a one-man slaughterhouse in his mission of revenge.

• The Hunting Party | DVD | (08/09/2008) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £12.99

  To cattle baron Brandt Ruger (Hackman) his beautiful wife Melissa (Bergen) is just one of his possessions. So when notorious bandit Frank Calder (Reed) kidnaps Melissa Ruger isn't concerned about her - he's enraged that someone stole from him. Melissa finds her captor quite kind but Ruger is organizing a posse to hunt down the pair and recover his property-dead or alive!

• Bad Girls - Complete Series 1-4 | DVD | (09/10/2006) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £99.99

  Hard-hitting award-winning original and controversial Bad Girls depicts the trials and triumphs of prison inmates and officers in the notorious women's prison of HMP Larkhall. It's a tense and sexually charged atmosphere and it's a hidden world where anything can happen.... This bumper box set features all 55 uncut episodes from the first four series! Series 1: 1. Them And Us 2. Drug Wars 3. Love Rival 4. The Victim 5. Tangled Web 6. A Big Mistake 7. Playing With Fire 8. Falling Apart 9. Payback Time 10. Love Hurts Series 2: 1. Tug Of Love 2. Shit Happens 3. Visiting Time 4. Looking For Love 5. Mistaken Identity 6. Losing It 7. The Set-Uo 8. Babes Behind Bars 9. The Leaving 10. Family Plan 11. Rough Justice 12. Facing Up 13. Oh What A Night Series 3: 1. Back From The Brink 2. The Turn Of The Screw 3. The Chains Of Freedom 4. False Identity 5. Blood Ties 6. Do Or Die 7. The Great Escape 8. Uninvited Guests 9. Common Criminal 10. Chapel Of Love 11. Battle Lines 12. Tough Love 13. Revolving Doors 14. Fronting Up 15. Cat & Mouse 16. Coming Out Series 4: 1. Fight Or Flight 2. Unholy Alliances 3. Behind Closed Doors 4. Fait Accompli 5. Ony The Lonely 6. Sweet Sixteen 7. Pillow Talk 8. Prison Issue 9. Baby On Board 10. Family Matters 11. Battle Lines 12. Appearances' Sake 13. True Colours 14. Hard Knock Life 15. Marriage Of Inconvenience 16. Curtain Call

• Sudden Damage | DVD | (30/09/2002) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

• Monty Python's The Meaning Of Life | DVD | (15/05/2006) from £97.85   |  Saving you £-87.86 (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

  It took God six days to create the earth and Monty Python just 90 minutes to screw it up. Those six pandemonium-mad Pythons are back with their craziest adventure ever! These naughty lads offer the usual tasteful sketches involving favourite bodily parts and functions the wonders of war the miracle of birth and a special preview of what's waiting for us in Heaven. Nothing is too sacred for the probing Python crew. After seeing them in action you'll never look at life in quite the same way again. It's far-out frank and jolly good fun!