Comedy

• The Back-Up Plan | Blu Ray | (20/09/2010) from £9.94   |  Saving you £13.05 (131.29%)   |  RRP £22.99

  Jennifer Lopez and Aussie heartthrob Alex O'Loughlin are pitch-perfect foils in the romantic comedy The Back-up Plan--a film that's as light as the foam on a root-beer float, but which manages to be both romantic and very funny. Lopez, after a long absence from the big screen, is a pleasure to watch--an accomplished (and underrated) comedian who can spar and spark with the best of her peers, and better than most. Lopez's chemistry with the dreamy O'Loughlin will engage viewers completely. Lopez plays Zoe, a smart woman whose dating life has been dismal--and who finally decides to become a single mum so she can achieve at least the motherhood she's always desired. As fate would have it, she meets Mr. Perfect (or Mr. Close To It), O'Loughlin's Stan, on the very day she visits the fertility clinic and becomes pregnant with twins. The early stages of their courtship involve Zoe's increasingly desperate measures to conceal her growing belly. By the time she confesses her condition, Stan is smitten--but with hormones on both sides roiling, and reality about to set in as the birth approaches, both Zoe and Stan get cold feet. If the plot of The Back-up Plan is a bit predictable, the flinty performances of both Lopez and O'Loughlin keep the viewer utterly engaged. Supporting actors Eric Christian Olsen, as Zoe's best guy pal, and the lovely and hilarious Michaela Watkins (The New Adventures of Old Christine) turn in terrific performances, too, and cameos by veterans including Albert Klein (as Zoe's hyperenthusiastic doctor), Tom Bosley, and Linda Lavin round out the excellent acting ensemble. The Back-up Plan also features an engaging soundtrack with a danceable tune by Lopez, "What Is Love?" and memorable songs by Colbie Caillat, India Arie, and more. The Back-up Plan shows that love may not always go according to plan--OK, it never does--but it's worth the ride, however the heart ultimately gets there. --A.T. Hurley

• The Secret Policeman's Ball - Remember The Secret Policeman's Ball | DVD | (15/11/2004) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £5.99

  This one off special traces the history of the event through interviews and recollections of the original stars and provides a contemporary perspective on a landmark event.

• When you come Home and The Special Bonus Short Randle & All That | DVD | (31/10/2011) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £12.99

  Born at 50 Wigan Road, Aspull, Greater Manchester on 30th January 1901. Frank was a childhood friend of George Formby and both of them went on to become legends of their time. Frank was just 15 when he first appeared in the theatre as an acrobatic artist (under the name Arthur Twist). It wasn't until 15 years later though that he achieved great popularity as a music hall comedian, whose wild and manic temperament brought a new style of quite risqu, if not downright vulgar comedy to the stage. For ten years Frank Randle ran his own touring company, Randle's Scandals, which played to big audiences all over the country, including headlining Blackpool's distinguished summer-season show. By 1950 he was Britain's highest paid comedian. When You Come Home is Randle's 7th Feature Film. This 1948 Butchers production directed by John Baxter, who was a very sympathetic director with social awareness - Love on the Dole and The Common Touch were good examples, and in this film he brought out another level of Randle's acting ability, other than the usual slapstick. Grandad (Randle) recounts to his grandaughter, his life as a music hall odd job man - a must for all Randle fans.Bonus Short: Randle & All That - Very rare and once thought to be lost, a short variety show of musical and comedy delight, starring Frank Randle who plays an 82 year old cobbler. Also featured are comedy song and dance artists, Arnley and Gloria and the Tumble Duo of Donavon and Byl's.

• Harold Lloyd - The Short Films | DVD | (16/04/2007) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  A collection of ten short films made during 1918-1921 from the ""third genius of silent comedy "" Harold Lloyd famous for his character ""Glasses"" an all-American boy whose signature was a simple pair of horn-rimmed glasses. His gravity defying fast-paced stunts set him in a class of his own.

• Black Books - The Complete Series 3 | DVD | (04/10/2004) from £6.54   |  Saving you £13.45 (67.30%)   |  RRP £19.99

  The third series of cult comedy set in a second hand bookshop. Dylan Moran stars as the bohemian and frequently drunk owner who has one major problem with his line of work: he hates customers! Help is at hand however in the form of mild-mannered Manny (Bill Bailey) who proves to be something of a star at selling books and Fran (Tamsin Greig)their under achieving friend. This dubious trio form a family of sorts to protect each other from the realities of modern London but nothing can protect them from each other! Black books is a haven of books wine and conversation the only threat to the groups peace and prosperity is their own limitless stupidity. Episodes comprise: 1. Manny Come Home 2. Elephants And Hens 3. Moo-ma And Moo-pa 4. A Little Flutter 5. The Travel Writer 6. Party

• Francis the Talking Mule: 7 Film Collection | Blu Ray | (03/05/2022) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

• Hicks, Bill Live: Satirist, Social Critic, Stand Up Comedian | DVD | (25/10/2004) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

• Laurel And Hardy - Bogus Bandits | DVD | (04/10/2004) from £6.98   |  Saving you £3.01 (43.12%)   |  RRP £9.99

  This film set a popular style which was subsequently seen in such films as `Zorro` `The Scarlet Pimpernel` and countless others. It has a pattern which was followed in `Babes In Toyland` (1934) and `The Bohemian Girl` (1936) and contains some superb sequences. Originally called `Fra Diavolo` this film is based on the 1830 comic operetta of that name by Daniel F Auber. The film was subsequently called `The Devil's Brother` `Bogus Bandits` and `Virtuous Tramps`. Ollie and Stan pl

• The Man Show - Girls On Trampoline Christmas Special | DVD | (01/12/2008) from £8.99   |  Saving you £2.00 (22.25%)   |  RRP £10.99

  Tired of the boring traditional festive videos and television repeats? Then spice up your yuletide season with The Man Show Presents 'Girls On Trampolines'! A whoop of honeys are gathered in the Californian sunshine for a Christmas spectacle with a beautiful difference. But wait' the intolerable and unrelenting heat of the day has forced the girls to remove portions of their already titchy garments as they frolic around on the trampoline! Watch these bouncing babes hypnotise you with their wondrous talents to keep you warm and fuzzy this winter. Santa's little helpers have never looked so hot or contributed so much to the enjoyment of our festive season!

• You, Me and Dupree | Blu Ray | (25/10/2010) from £14.35   |  Saving you £3.64 (25.37%)   |  RRP £17.99

  There are a lot of broad comedies about men refusing to grow up, but few have the sly bite of You, Me and Dupree. Even though Carl (Matt Dillon, Crash, There's Something About Mary) is newly married to Molly (Kate Hudson, Almost Famous, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days), when his best friend Dupree (Owen Wilson, Wedding Crashers, The Life Aquatic) ends up homeless, Carl invites Dupree into their house--in which Dupree promptly makes himself at home, culminating in setting the place on fire during lurid sex. But though he's trapped between his wife and his best friend, Carl may have bigger problems as his boss--and father-in-law--hates him and is sneakily working against his marriage. You, Me and Dupree seems at first glance to be a frat-boy farce about men being emasculated by their wives, but the well-written script, guided with a sure hand by director team Joe and Anthony Russo (who each directed episodes of the top-notch TV series Arrested Development), successfully walks a treacherous path between multi-layered characters and comic events, and is all the funnier as a result. Michael Douglas (Wonder Boys, Fatal Attraction) turns in a sharp, nasty performance as Molly's overly-possessive father. Also featuring Seth Rogen (The 40 Year Old Virgin). --Bret Fetzer

• Love Thy Neighbour | DVD | (24/05/2004) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £16.99

  The 70's sitcom smash that explored the culture clash between black and white neighbours Bill Reynolds and Eddie Booth. In this 1973 movie the happy family hilarity comes to a head when they enter the local 'Love Thy Neighbour' competition. Each is determined to win even if they have to lie through their teeth!

• Bless This House - The Complete Fifth Series | DVD | (22/01/2007) from £14.83   |  Saving you £5.16 (25.80%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Sid James plays Sid Abbott - Mr Average Married Man. A representative for a stationery firm. Sid's interest in life are the three C's: Chelsea Courage bitter and Crumpet and not necessarily in that order. In common with most married men however he finds these ambitions constatnly thwarted by his wife son and daughter also not necessarily in that order. Sid likes to think he is with it but in actual fact he would not know it if he saw it. Diana Coupland plays his attractive sensible level-headed wife. Sally Geeson is his 16-year old daughter Sally. She's in her last year at Grammar School and is the apple of Sid's eye. Robin Stewart plays Mike who is 19 and just left college. He is far too busy straightening out the affairs of the world to bother about a job. Episodes Comprise: 1. They Don't Write Songs Like That Anymore 2. The Gypsy's Warning 3. The Biggest Woodworm In The World 4. Home Tweet Home 5. You're Never Too Old To Be Young 6. The Policeman And The Paint And The Pirates 7. Happy Birthday Sid 8. Freedom Is 9. Mr Chairman 10. And Afterwards At...

• Friday | DVD | (28/09/2009) from £14.85   |  Saving you £-3.86 (N/A%)   |  RRP £10.99

  Friday is a hilarious look at a day in the life of two friends growing up in the 'hood' in urban Los Angeles. Featuring an all-star cast Friday stars rapper/actor Ice Cube in this outrageous story of the pitfalls of growing up in South Central Los Angeles. 22 year old Craig Jones has just been fired from his job at the shoe store and on top of that his parents are threatening to kick him out of the house. Meanwhile Craig has his eye on Debbie a beautiful fitness instructor but his insanely jealous girlfriend Joi is standing in the way. To make matters worse Craig's best friend Smokey is in the midst of a shady drug deal gone sour. Before the sun sets in South Central Craig has to get Smokey out of trouble find a new job avoid Joi and win Debbie's heart and survive a climactic confrontation with Deebo the neighborhood menace.

• Arthur | Blu Ray | (19/09/2011) from £6.98   |  Saving you £14.01 (200.72%)   |  RRP £20.99

  In this fresh new look at a classic story, Russell Brand reinvents the role of loveable billionaire Arthur Bach, an irresponsible charmer who has always relied on two things to get by: his limitless fortune and the good sense of his lifelong nanny and best friend Hobson (Helen Mirren), to keep him out of trouble.Kind-hearted, fun-loving, and utterly without purpose, Arthur spends every day in the heedless pursuit of amusement. But when his unpredictable public image threatens the staid reputation of the family foundation, Bach Worldwide, he is given an ultimatum: marry the beautiful but decidedly unlovable Susan Johnson (Jennifer Garner), an ambitious corporate exec who can keep him in line, or say goodbye to his billion-dollar inheritance and the only way of life he knows.It's a deal Arthur would be inclined to take...if he hadn't just fallen for Naomi (Greta Gerwig), a New York City tour guide who shares his idealism and spontaneity. The independent Naomi sees Arthur not only for who he is, but for who he could be, and finally gives him a reason to take charge of his own life.All he needs to do is stand up for what he wants. But at what cost?With some unconventional help from Hobson-the one person who always believed he could do anything-Arthur will take the most expensive risk of his life and learn what it means to become a man.

• Ricky Tomlinson - Live Laughter My Arse! | DVD | (25/11/2001) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £15.99

  Recorded in 2001, Laughter My Arse is a celebration of Ricky Tomlinson’s ascendancy to the top table of British comic actors. The role which really established Tomlinson’s popularity was through three series of Caroline Aherne’s acclaimed Royle Family sitcom. In this DVD he cashes in on the catch phrase of couch potato Jim Royle and takes us back to his roots in the working men’s clubs of Liverpool. Much of the programme consists of his one-man show. Royle Family fans will appreciate the humour which obviously informs Tomlinson’s characterisation of Jim. But this act only tells half the story. He has also proved himself an accomplished and formidable performer in television drama and independent British films and with a bit more imagination, the producers could have come up with a more rounded portrait. The most poignant moments come outside the club when Tomlinson reminisces with friends and colleagues about the good old days when they were starting out on the club circuit. Anecdotes abound and Tomlinson’s ability to make some pretty grim episodes funny says much about the fundamental warmth of the man. Even so, this is probably one for old fans rather than the idle curious. On the DVD: the sound and picture quality are fine. If the producers had wanted to be truly authentic, they could have taken a grainier option for the comedy act sequences and harked back to the days of Granada’s Wheel Tappers and Shunters Club show which was a staple of ITV schedules in the 1970s. If the comedy isn’t your bag, the chapter selection option allows you to skip straight to the nostalgic reminiscence sequences and by way of extras, there’s a small handful of mildly amusing outtakes. But essentially, this is a basic package rather than a comprehensive portrait.--Piers Ford

• The Last Yellow | DVD | (13/03/2000) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  You wouldn't describe Leicester as a fast town, but that suits Frank (MARK ADDY) just fine. Content to carry on living with his mum, Frank exists in a fantasy world with himself cast as vigilante for hire.

• Team America: World Police | Blu Ray | (06/10/2014) from £21.98   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  Popular Broadway actor Gary Johnston is recruited by the elite counter-terrorism organization Team America: World Police. As the world begins to crumble around him, he must battle with terrorists, celebrities and falling in love.

• Ich bin dein Mensch | Blu Ray | (23/09/2021) from £11.08   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

• The Marx Brothers Collection | DVD | (13/06/2005) from £39.99   |  Saving you £-20.00 (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Here at long last is a verbal and visual feast fit for fans of Groucho Chico Harpo Zeppo and Gummo! 'The Marx Brothers Collection' is a comedic stroll down memory lane. Rare television and film footage from one of America's first comedy teams is included. Includes: 1. Inside The Marx Brothers 2. You Bet Your Life 3. Papa Romani 4. Person To Person 5. The Marx Brothers: Radio Days 6. Mixed Nuts.

• Carry On Emmannuelle | DVD | (18/03/2002) from £8.99   |  Saving you £1.00 (11.12%)   |  RRP £9.99

  Made in 1978, Carry On Emmannuelle was really the last gasp of the most fondly regarded series of British comedy films. In most respects, it hardly does justice to the many truly funny and brilliantly played previous scripts. But it does feature a curiously vulnerable, even touching, performance from Kenneth Williams as a French diplomat with a wife of insatiable physical appetites. In theory, of course, it aims to be a pastiche of the hugely popular Emmanuelle, which had marked the transition of soft-core erotic cinema into the art house. But it's too crudely scripted and lacking in the belly laugh inducing innuendo of the best Carry On films to succeed on that level. "Are you hungry, Loins?" Emmannuelle asks the chauffeur. "I think I could manage a little nibble," he replies. You get the idea. In the title role, Suzanne Danielle, who would go on to be the best of the Princess Diana impersonators, isn't a good enough comic actress to raise such lines above the ordinary. And the few stalwarts who returned for this outing--Joan Sims, Kenneth Connor and Peter Butterworth--just about emerge with their dignity intact. This was a Carry On too far. But fans will want it for their collection because it shows Kenneth Williams at his most professionally committed--his diaries reveal his real thoughts on the matter--and to remind themselves of the high quality of so much of the work which had gone before.On the DVD: presented in 4:3 format and with a standard mono soundtrack, this release of Carry On Emmannuelle starts off with a print of such ropey quality that you seem to be watching through a dust storm. The sound quality is little better, although on both counts things improve as the film progresses. The lack of extras is disappointing, adding to the rather sad, low-budget feel of the film itself. --Piers Ford