"Actor: Tom Alter"

• Boys from the Blackstuff | DVD | (26/05/2003) from £7.99   |  Saving you £-0.99 (N/A%)   |  RRP £7.00

  Alan Bleasdale's Boys from the Blackstuff gripped television audiences in 1982 with its bleak, fiercely funny exploration of the effect of the UK's economic depression on a group of Merseyside characters, originally introduced in his 1978 play, The Blackstuff. Bleasdale's writing is unsparing in both its pain and its unconditional affection for characters being pushed to the very limit of civilisation. Yosser Hughes (the outstanding Bernard Hill) is still, and rightly, recognised as one of the great creations of modern television drama: a man on the brink of madness, unlikeable, ostracised, digging a deeper hole with every desperate act, but ultimately a human being deserving our sympathy. The performances are wonderful throughout: particularly Peter Kerrigan as Malone, the once giant union leader reduced to a shadow but still with the spark that commands love and respect; Michael Angelis as Chrissie and, in a typically sharp cameo, Julie Walters as his wife. "My dreams still give me hope and faith in my class. I can't believe there's no hope," says Chrissie towards the end. And it's testament to Bleasdale's skill and the resilience of his characters that somehow, that flicker of hope remains unextinguished. The blackstuff--the tarmac--of the title becomes increasingly ironic. There is none. The boys have no work. The dole office scenes have a grimly nostalgic, documentary quality. Each second drips another droplet of disillusionment on people whose expectations are crushed by every effort to haul themselves up. Thatcher's Britain was a cruel place for many people. The unspoken question that hangs in the air after watching Bleasdale's poetic dissection of ruined lives is, have things really changed that much? Television drama doesn't come any more powerful or honest than this. On the DVD: Boys from the Blackstuff is presented in standard 4:3 TV format with a mono soundtrack that often suffers from a muffled quality. There's only one additional feature, but it's a treasure: The Blackstuff, Alan Bleasdale's original 90-minute play, is presented as a prelude to the series with the bonus of an insightful commentary from the author and the director, Jim Goddard. --Piers Ford

• Sense And Sensibility | DVD | (09/09/2002) from £5.00   |  Saving you £7.99 (159.80%)   |  RRP £12.99

  Emma Thompson scores a double bull's-eye with Sense and Sensibility, a marvellous adaptation of Jane Austen's novel. Not only does Thompson turn in a strong (and gently humorous) performance as Elinor Dashwood--the one with "sense"--she also wrote the witty, wise screenplay. Austen's tale of 19th-century manners and morals provides a large cast with a feast of possibilities, notably Kate Winslet, in her pre-Titanic flowering, as Thompson's deeply romantic sister, Marianne (the one with "sensibility"). Winslet attracts the wooing of shy Alan Rickman (a nice change of pace from his bad-guy roles) and dashing Greg Wise, while Thompson must endure an incredibly roundabout courtship with Hugh Grant, here in fine and funny form. All of this is doled out with the usual eye-filling English countryside and handsome costumes, yet the film always seems to be about the careful interior lives of its characters. The director, an inspired choice, is Taiwan-born Ang Lee, here making his first English-language film. He brings the same exquisite taste and discreet touch he displayed in his previous Asian films (such as Eat Drink Man Woman). Thompson's script won an Oscar. --Robert Horton

• Sense And Sensibility | DVD | (17/04/2019) from £6.99   |  Saving you £13.00 (185.98%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Emma Thompson scores a double bull's-eye with this marvellous adaptation of Jane Austen's novel . Not only does Thompson turn in a strong (and gently humorous) performance as Elinor Dashwood--the one with "sense"--she also wrote the witty, wise screenplay. Austen's tale of 19th-century manners and morals provides a large cast with a feast of possibilities, notably Kate Winslet, in her pre-Titanic flowering, as Thompson's deeply romantic sister, Marianne (the one with "sensibility"). Winslet attracts the wooing of shy Alan Rickman (a nice change of pace from his bad-guy roles) and dashing Greg Wise, while Thompson must endure an incredibly roundabout courtship with Hugh Grant, here in fine and funny form. All of this is doled out with the usual eye-filling English countryside and handsome costumes, yet the film always seems to be about the careful interior lives of its characters. The director, an inspired choice, is Taiwan-born Ang Lee, who brings the same exquisite taste and discreet touch he displayed in his previous Asian films (such as Eat Drink Man Woman). Thompson's script won an Oscar. --Robert Horton, Amazon.com

• Venom | Blu Ray | (04/02/2019) from £9.75   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  One of Marvel's greatest and most complex characters takes center stage as Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) becomes the host for the alien symbiote Venom. As a journalist, Eddie has been trying to take down the notorious founder of the Life Foundation, genius Carlton Drake (Riz Ahmed) and that obsession ruined his career and his relationship with his girlfriend, Anne Weying (Michelle Williams). Upon investigating one of Drake's experiments, the alien Venom merges with Eddie's body, and he suddenly has incredible new superpowers, as well as the chance to do just about whatever he wants. Twisted, dark, unpredictable, and fueled by rage, Venom leaves Eddie wrestling to control dangerous abilities that he also finds empowering and intoxicating. As Eddie and Venom need each other to get what they're looking for, they become more and more intertwined where does Eddie end and Venom begin?

• The Blues Brothers – 4K Ultra HD | Blu Ray | (15/06/2020) from £19.99   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  Experience The Blues Brothers in 4K Ultra HD with HDR. This newly-remastered 40th Anniversary edition includes both the Theatrical and Extended versions of the movie, as well as bonus features in 4K Ultra HD: Stories Behind The Making Of The Blues Brothers Transposing The Music Remembering John Comedy icons John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd star in the outrageously funny musical comedy The Blues Brothers. After the release of Jake Blues (Belushi) from prison, he and brother Elwood (Aykroyd) take their blues band back on the road in an attempt to raise money for the orphanage where they were raised. Havoc ensues as the brothers seek redemption on their mission from God. Directed by John Landis (National Lampoon's® Animal House), the soul-stirring comedy classic features musical performances by blues legends Ray Charles, James Brown, Aretha Franklin and Cab Calloway.

• War Of The Worlds | DVD | (14/11/2005) from £3.85   |  Saving you £21.14 (549.09%)   |  RRP £24.99

  Steven Spielberg directs Tom Cruise in a present day retelling of the classic HG Wells story.

• Young Guns II: Blaze of Glory | DVD | (21/02/2022) from £6.99   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  Good weather for hanging. Billy the Kid's outlaw ingrates are penned like sows in a Lincoln County pit and the Kid is strapped in a nearby hotel. But the hangman will go home disappointed tonight. Billy cleverly breaks himself - then his gang - free. One of the West's greatest legends lives on to ride another day. Emilio Estevez, Keifer Sutherland, Lou Diamond Phillips and Christian Slater saddle up for Young Guns II, featuring Jon Bon Jovi's 1990 Oscar® - nominated* and Golden Globe® Award-winning Best Original Song ʻBlaze of Glory'. By 1879, the Lincoln County Wars have ended but bad blood endures. Billy and his men look to Mexico for haven - if they can elude Billy's one-time friend, pursuing sheriff Pat Garrett (William Petersen).

• War of the Worlds – 4K Ultra HD | Blu Ray | (08/06/2020) from £19.99   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  Experience War of the Worlds, newly remastered in stunning 4K UHD with HDR. An iconic star, a legendary filmmaker and an all-time sci-fi classic come together with spectacular results in War of the Worlds. Tom Cruise stars as Ray Ferrier, an ordinary man who summons extraordinary courage to protect his children when a global army of alien invaders set their sights and their devastating war machines upon Earth and the entire human population. The masterful direction of multi-Academy Award®-winning* filmmaker Steven Spielberg dazzles the eye and touches the heart in this astonishing adventure based on the original story by H.G. Wells. Disc 1: 4K Feature Film UHD Disc 2: Blu-Ray Feature Film & Special Features Revisiting The Invasion The H.G. Wells Legacy Steven Spielberg And The Original War Of The Worlds Characters: The Family Unit Previsualization Production Diaries Designing The Enemy: Tripods And Aliens Scoring War Of The Worlds We Are Not Alone Galleries Theatrical Teaser Trailer HD

• Venom | Blu Ray | (04/02/2019) from £15.90   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  The evolution story of Marvel's most enigmatic , complex and badass character Venom! Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) is a broken man after he loses everything including his job and fiancée. Just when his life is at its lowest, he becomes host to an alien symbiote which results in extraordinary superpowers transforming him into Venom. Will these powers be enough for this new lethal protector to defeat great evil forces, especially against the far stronger and more weaponised symbiote rival, Riot? Bonus Features: Extended Post Credit Scene and Deleted Scenes PLUS over an hour of extras including Venom Mode: Trivia Track The Lethal Protector in Action The Anti-Hero Venom Vision Designing Venom Symbiote Secrets Also includes: Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse Sneak Peek Eminem Music Video

• Venom (+ Blu-ray 2D) | Blu Ray | (14/02/2019) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

• Young Guns II: Blaze of Glory | Blu Ray | (21/02/2022) from £10.99   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  Good weather for hanging. Billy the Kid's outlaw ingrates are penned like sows in a Lincoln County pit and the Kid is strapped in a nearby hotel. But the hangman will go home disappointed tonight. Billy cleverly breaks himself - then his gang - free. One of the West's greatest legends lives on to ride another day. Emilio Estevez, Keifer Sutherland, Lou Diamond Phillips and Christian Slater saddle up for Young Guns II, featuring Jon Bon Jovi's 1990 Oscar® - nominated* and Golden Globe® Award-winning Best Original Song ʻBlaze of Glory'. By 1879, the Lincoln County Wars have ended but bad blood endures. Billy and his men look to Mexico for haven - if they can elude Billy's one-time friend, pursuing sheriff Pat Garrett (William Petersen).

• Magnolia - Two Disc Set (1999) | DVD | (02/10/2000) from £9.16   |  Saving you £1.83 (19.98%)   |  RRP £10.99

  24 hours in L.A.; it's raining cats and dogs. Two parallel and intercut stories dramatize a man about to die: both men are estranged from a grown child, both want to make contact, and neither child wants anything to do with dad.

• The Gingerbread Man | DVD | (11/10/1999) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

  When released in 1997, The Gingerbread Man was the only John Grisham movie that did not use one of the popular novelist's bestsellers as its inspiration. Rather, it's based on an original screenplay by Grisham that displays the author's familiar flair for Southern characters and settings within a labyrinthine plot propelled by his trademark narrative twists and turns. Sporting a spot-on Georgian accent, Kenneth Branagh plays a Savannah attorney who comes to the assistance of a troubled woman (Embeth Davidtz) and finds himself enmeshed in a scenario involving the woman's father (Robert Duvall) that grows increasingly complex and dangerous, where nothing, of course, is really as it seems. It's a totally absorbing movie made in the modern film noir tradition; what's most interesting here (and most underrated by critics at the time) is the combination of Grisham's mainstream mystery and the offbeat style of maverick director Robert Altman. Despite a battle with executives that nearly caused Altman to disown the film, The Gingerbread Man demonstrates the director's skill in bringing a fresh, characteristically offbeat approach to conventional material, especially in the use of a threatening hurricane to hold the plot in a state of dangerous urgency. Unfortunately overlooked during its theatrical release, this intelligent thriller provides a fine double bill with Francis Coppola's film of Grisham's The Rainmaker. --Jeff Shannon

• The Hollow Crown: Series 1 | DVD | (13/06/2016) from £9.99   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  Collection of four BBC adaptations of Shakespeare's history plays comprising 'Richard II', 'Henry IV: Part One', 'Henry IV: Part Two' and 'Henry V'. Beginning in the year 1399, the plays deal with events affecting the monarchy during a 16-year period, where the ruling orders of Richard II (Ben Whishaw), Henry IV (Jeremy Irons) and Henry V (Tom Hiddleston) find themselves beset by rebellion, greed and war. The cast also includes Rory Kinnear, Simon Russell Beale, Julie Walters and Lindsay Duncan.

• All The Right Moves | DVD | (30/06/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £5.99

  Set in a dying mill town in the heart of Pennsylvania Stef (Cruise) dreams of winning a football scholarship to escape from a hopeless future...

• The Killer Elite | DVD | (21/07/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £12.99

  Best friends Mike Locken and George Hansen are the 'Killer Elite' undertaking jobs that are too dangerous even for the CIA. But when one of the duo is betrayed by the other things get tricky...

• Venom | Blu Ray | (04/02/2019) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  One of Marvel's greatest and most complex characters takes center stage as Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) becomes the host for the alien symbiote Venom. As a journalist, Eddie has been trying to take down the notorious founder of the Life Foundation, genius Carlton Drake (Riz Ahmed) and that obsession ruined his career and his relationship with his girlfriend, Anne Weying (Michelle Williams). Upon investigating one of Drake's experiments, the alien Venom merges with Eddie's body, and he suddenly has incredible new superpowers, as well as the chance to do just about whatever he wants. Twisted, dark, unpredictable, and fueled by rage, Venom leaves Eddie wrestling to control dangerous abilities that he also finds empowering and intoxicating. As Eddie and Venom need each other to get what they're looking for, they become more and more intertwined where does Eddie end and Venom begin? Also featuring a the Bonus Disc: Bonus Disc From Symbiote to Screen Featurette

• Maniac | DVD | (29/07/2002) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £5.99

  Frank Zito (a career performance by co-writer/co-executive producer Joe Spinell of 'Rocky' and 'The Godfather' fame) is a deeply disturbed man haunted by the traumas of unspeakable childhood abuse. And when these horrific memories begin to scream inside his mind Frank prowls the seedy streets of New York City to stalk and slaughter innocent young women. Now Frank has begun a relationship with a beautiful photographer (Caroline Munro of 'The Spy Who Loved Me') yet his vile compulsions remain. These are the atrocities of a human monster. This is the story of a maniac. Experience 'Maniac' like you've never seen or heard it before. Directed by William Lustig and featuring landmark gore effects by Tom Savini ('Dawn of the Dead') this notorious classic was censored all over the world for its graphic violence and remains banned in England and Germany to this day. But 'Maniac' is more than just one of the most relentlessly depraved films of our time; It is quite possibly one of the most disturbing horror movies ever made...

• The Governess | DVD | (19/02/2001) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £14.99

  It is 1840. The headstrong Rosina leaves behind her family and Jewish identity to take a governess position on the Isle of Skye. There she finds herself drawn to her mysterious employer the handsome and reclusive scientist Charles Cavendish. As Rosina helps him in his work the two begin an intense and sensuous affair. Starring Minnie Driver Tom Wilkinson and Jonathan Rhys Meyers The Governess is a captivating tale of a remarkable woman ahead of her time.

• Aashiqui | DVD | (07/04/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £7.99

  A story about love that makes life worth living!