"Actor: Al St John"

• 63 Up | Blu Ray | (19/08/2019) from £7.79   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  The original 7 Up, broadcast in 1964 as a World in Action special, featured children from widely different social backgrounds sharing their hopes and dreams for the future. Inspired by World in Action founder editor Tim Hewat's passionate interest in both the Jesuit saying: Give me the child until he is seven and I will show you the man and his anger at Britain's rigid class system, this unique, groundbreaking series set out to discover how far the children's lives were pre-determined by their background. Director Michael Apted has returned every seven years to chart the group's progress, documenting the participants as they have become adults and entered middle-age, dealing with everything life has thrown at them in between; the very first example of a programme recording real people living real lives, this ground-breaking series has won an array of awards. Now, as the group reach retirement age, the series is back to discover what has been happening in their lives. Across three programmes, 63 Up reveals more life-changing decisions, more shocking announcements and joy and tears in equal measure.

• The Mummy Returns - Superbit | DVD | (07/07/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £12.99

  We don't have time for subtle," says Brendan Fraser, the star of The Mummy Returns, neatly encapsulating the relentless pace and hammerheaded tone of the film. As is the way of sequels here we have more, more, more of the same formula: more explosions, more action and more mind-numbingly endless CGI effects. Once again borrowing shamelessly from the Indiana Jones series, The Mummy Returns, like its predecessor, has boundless energy but lacks the stylish verve and charm of Spielberg's trilogy. All the original cast are reunited, this time joined by WWF star the Rock in a cameo role designed to plug his spin-off vehicle, The Scorpion King, and young actor Freddie Boath who plays an English eight-year-old in the 1930s whose dialogue borrows from Bart Simpson ("Get a room" and "My dad's gonna kick your arse" are two of his choice phrases). Other cinematic thefts include a Jurassic Park-style creatures-in-the-long-grass sequence and a lengthy triple-threat finale along the lines of Return of the Jedi. Still, despite the wearying relentlessness of its computer-generated effects, endless chases and fights, this is undeniably fun popcorn fodder and provides some memorable scenes along the way, notably Rachel Weisz and Patricia Velasquez battling it out for the affections of nasty old Imhotep.On the DVD: This two-disc "Special Edition" is a treat for fans of the franchise. The first disc has an anamorphic widescreen print of the movie in its 2.35:1 CinemaScope ratio, and a choice of Dolby 5.1 or DTS for the headache-inducing soundtrack. There's a decent commentary from the director and producer, plus a couple of DVD-ROM features. Disc 2 has all the usual stuff, including a 20-minute "making-of" documentary, a five-minute interview with the Rock about The Scorpion King, plus an exclusive trailer for it that is unsurprisingly reminiscent of Conan the Barbarian. There are also some detailed special effects breakdowns of key sequences, a blooper reel of outtakes and a virtual tour of the Universal theme park attraction "The Mummy Returns Chamber of Doom". Sundry trailers, production notes, a music video and an "Egyptology 201" text feature round out a well-loaded second disc. --Mark Walker

• Rosamunde Pilcher's Winter Solstice | DVD | (11/04/2005) from £10.69   |  Saving you £6.30 (58.93%)   |  RRP £16.99

  Winter Solstice is the entrancing story of shattered lives and broken hearts and a Christmas retreat which brings healing and happy endings.When recently bereaved Elfrida Phipps moves into a tiny cottage she soon makes friends with her new neighbours the Blundells.Elfrida's favourite niece Carrie returns from Austria heartbroken and briefly meets businessman Sam on her flight home.A tragic accident befalls the Blundells and with everyone's lives in ruins

• John Hughes 5 Movie Collection | Blu Ray | (08/03/2021) from £23.60   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  PRETTY IN PINK - Andie is a high school girl from the other side of town. Blane's the wealthy heartthrob who asks her to the prom. As fast as their romance builds, it's threatened by the painful reality of peer pressure. Written and produced by John Hughes, this essential ˜80s movie comes newly remastered for Blu-ray by director Howard Deutch. FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF - High-schooler Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick), his girlfriend Sloane (Mia Sara), and his best bud Cameron (Alan Ruck) are skipping school by taking a wild romp through Chicago, in one of the greatest comedy films of all time. So, barf up a lung, forge a sick note from the parents, and tag along on the infinitely quotable, always entertaining classic written and directed by John Hughes. PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES - Turning from coming-of-age teens to the adult peril of making it home for the holidays, filmmaker John Hughes creates one of his most outrageous, and heartfelt, comedies in this tale of an uptight advertising executive (Steve Martin) reluctantly partnered with an obnoxious yet lovable salesman (John Candy). Their adventure, which includes various modes of transportation, is a non-stop series of hilarious mishaps and mistakes. SHE'S HAVING A BABY - FIRST TIME ON BLU-RAY! It seems only yesterday that Jake and Kristi were two crazy single kids in love. Now they're two crazy married adults in transition, balancing work, parental expectations, and tuna casserole. But Kristi just got some news that really ought to make things interesting she's having a baby. It's an irresistible John Hughes comedy about the labor of life. SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL - FIRST TIME ON BLU-RAY! Before they could stand together, they had to stand alone. Writer/Producer John Hughes and director Howard Deutch (PRETTY IN PINK) reteam for another unforgettable romantic comedy of unconditional, but sometimes unclaimed, love in the time of teen angst.

• Two Mules For Sister Sara | Blu Ray | (09/09/2016) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  In the cactus-studded Mexican backcountry of the 1860s, a surly drifter who could easily be mistaken for the Man with No Name becomes protector and lethal helpmate to a red-haired nun wanted by the French for aiding the Juarista revolutionaries. Essentially a two-character showcase for the newly stellar Clint Eastwood and what was beginning to seem the poststellar Shirley MacLaine (subbing for Elizabeth Taylor), this sardonic study in testy collaboration, mutual deception and distrust, and slightly creepy sexual attraction is highly rated by a fairly small number of critics--chiefly, one suspects, for the dual-auteur cachet of having been directed by Don Siegel and based on a story by Budd Boetticher. Others deem it an undersauced spaghetti Western and find that the stars grate on the viewer as well as each other. Cinematography by the great Gabriel Figueroa is some consolation, but... if only Boetticher had been allowed to direct. --Richard T. Jameson

• The Very Best Of The Royle Family | DVD | (25/11/2002) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Spanning the three series of this superb sitcom, The Very Best of The Royle Family is a prime taster for those not familiar with the series. Co-created by Caroline Aherne and Craig Cash, who star as Denise and Dave respectively, The Royle Family deserves its own comedic category. They had a hard fight persuading the BBC to leave a laughter track off the show, which would have disrupted its unique ambience and chemistry. Never departing from the house of lazy, good-for-nothing but defiantly sardonic Jim Royle (Ricky Tomlinson) and wife Barbara (Sue Johnston), The Royle Family chronicles the everyday chat and banal comings and goings of this Northern household, which barely qualifies as "working" class, since mostly they are slumped on the sofa in front of the telly in a cathode-induced stupor. Confused viewers waiting for something to "happen" in the conventional sitcom manner will be disappointed. What they'll get instead is an irresistible stream of dialogue that captures unerringly the humdrum cadences of "ordinary" people. These episodes capture the Royles in customary, festive mood--Denise's marriage, Christmas, baby David's birthday party and so forth--which is good, as we get to see more of Liz Smith's magnificent Nana. As each seemingly inconsequential scene vividly illustrates, this is hardly a romanticised family. Denise is an appallingly negligent mother, there's probably never been a green vegetable in the house, most of their friends, including Darren, are well dodgy, and mum Barbara is unfairly put-upon ("Eh, I've been so busy this morning I haven't had time to smoke", she laments at one point). Yet undoubtedly, unlike their regal counterparts, this Royle Family are close-knit, somehow getting by. The family that watches telly together stays together. On the DVD: The Very Best of the Royle Family, disappointingly, has no extra features. --David Stubbs

• Short Circuit | DVD | (05/04/2004) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

  John Badham's family-orientated adventure comedy Short Circuit, though obviously hatched in the wake of E.T. and Star Wars, manages to create its own identity through a sweet tone and an affectionate sense of fun. Military robot Number 5, a well-armed killing machine, is zapped by lightning during a test and emerges with a wacky sense of humour and a new peace-loving philosophy. Ally Sheedy (who debuted in Badham's hit WarGames) is the animal-lover whose home is sanctuary for a zoo-full of strays and who adopts the adolescent robot. Steve Guttenberg is the goofy but reclusive robotics designer who goes off in search of his creation to save him from the gun-happy army. The mix of gentle slapstick and innocent romance makes for a harmless family comedy. It veers toward the terminally cute, what with Number 5's hyperactive antics and E.T.-ish voice, and the mangled grammar of Guttenberg's East Indian sidekick (Fisher Stevens) threatens to become offensive, but Badham's breezy direction keeps the film on track. Sheedy and Guttenberg deliver spirited and engaging performances, but most importantly the robot emerges as a real person. Give credit to designer Syd Mead, an army of puppeteers and robotics operators, and the cartoony voice of Tim Blaney: Number 5 is alive. --Sean Axmaker

• Death Train | DVD | (13/09/2002) from £7.98   |  Saving you £-5.99 (N/A%)   |  RRP £1.99

  A German Scientist aids an ex-Soviet general in constructing a nuclear weapon which is in the possession of an American mercenary heading across Europe in a hijacked goods train. Malcolm Philpott a member of UNACO (United Nations Anti Crime Organisation) must use a team of hand picked agents from various parts of the globe to stop this death train at all costs.

• This Life - Series 1 And 2 | DVD | (27/02/2006) from £39.99   |  Saving you £10.00 (25.01%)   |  RRP £49.99

  First aired on British television in 1996 This Life chronicles the lives of a group of house-sharing twentysomething professionals as they try to make sense of life love and each other. This Life - Series 1: Providing a timely shake-up of TV drama conventions This Life's refusal to conform was its key to success. While critics deemed it 'immoral' for its graphic depictions of homosexuality and blas attitude to drug-taking fans revelled in its

• The Andromeda Anthology | DVD | (24/07/2006) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £24.99

  Comprising the 1961 & 1962 serials A For Andromeda and its sequel The Andromeda Breakthrough both written by Fred Hoyle and John Elliott. A For Andromeda sees the construction of an alien designed computer by scientist John Fleming (Peter Halliday). Once built however the computer secretly kills one of the lab assistants Christine (Julie Christie) then gives detailed instructions for a new biological organism to be created which quickly develops into a full

• The Last Ship - Season 3 | DVD | (22/05/2017) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  Based on William Brinkley's popular novel, The Last Ship chronicles a global catastrophe that nearly decimates the world's population. Because of its positioning, the Navy destroyer U.S.S. Nathan James avoided falling victim to the devastating tragedy. But now, Captain Tom Chandler (Eric Dane) and his crew must confront the reality of their new existence in a world where they may be among the few remaining survivors. Following the epic second season cliffhanger, the highly anticipated third season finds the crew of the Nathan James shifting their attention to Asia after President Michener hears rumblings that the Chinese leader, President Peng, has been hoarding the Scott cure instead of distributing it to the people in the region. Michener sends Chandler to a global summit to investigate this allegation, as well as rumors of a possible mutation of the original virus that has caused a fresh outbreak in Japan. If the mutation has occurred, and Asia has not been protected, the consequences for the world are dire. With Rachel Scott shot in the season two finale, and her fate as yet unknown, hope is in short supply.

• Butterflies - Series 1 | DVD | (07/10/2002) from £14.30   |  Saving you £5.69 (39.79%)   |  RRP £19.99

  This classic poignant BBC comedy starring Wendy Craig as the bored suburban housewife Ria looking for more from life. Ria is seemingly happy with two teenage sons but after 19 years of marriage she feels that everyone is taking her for granted and that life is passing her by. A chance encounter with a handsome businessman Leonard leaves her dreaming of being swept off her feet. But dreaming is about as close as Ria gets before her lugubrious husband - the butterfly collecting d

• The Flintstones/the Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas | DVD | (05/06/2006) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £12.99

  The Flintstones: After an aptitude test mix-up Fred Flintstone (John Goodman) trades his job as Slate & Company Bronto-crane operator for a vice presidency. But there's trouble brewing in Bedrock: An evil executive (Kyle MacLachlan) and his sinister secretary (Halle Berry) are now plotting to use Fred as the fall guy in an embezzlement scheme! (Dir. Brian Levant 1994) The Flintstones Viva Rock Vegas: Best pals Fred (Mark Addy) and Barney (Stephen Baldwin) down tools at Bedrock Mining Company to woo Wilma (Kristen Johnston) and Betty (Jane Krakowski) during a long vacation in Rock Vegas. All goes well until Fred's gambling addiction gets the better of him and he is framed for stealing Wilma's prized pearl necklace by love rival Chip Rockerfeller (Thomas Gibson) who oozes malice out of every prehistoric pore. Meanwhile Wilma's high fallutin mother Pearl (Joan Collins taking over from Elizabeth Taylor) thinks that Fred is too downmarket for her daughter and does everything within her power to push Wilma and Chip together... (Dir. Brian Levant 2000)

• School For Scoundrels / The Green Man | DVD | (14/04/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £16.99

  In School for Scoundrels wimpy Ian Carmichael wants to impress girls and get one over on all-round show-off and cad Terry Thomas (playing gloriously to type). Discovering Alastair Simms' unorthodox school Carmichael happily enrols and learns the quaint tricks of the day for securing the admiration of a fair lady. Ultimately as a star pupil he teaches the Master a thing or two about true love when everything turns out just fine in the end. Appealing to all male sensibilities is the idea of a magical set of simple rules for winning someone's affections. Set in the tweed-rich environment of an English boarding school makes this an even quainter notion. To watch this classic comedy is to cock one's snoot at womanisers everywhere while unavoidably making a mental list of anything that might actually work! The three central performances are brilliantly realised, particularly the role reversal between Carmichael and Thomas. Try playing a tennis match after a viewing without calling "hard cheese". -Paul Tonks

• Charlie's Angels/Charlie's Angels 2: Full Throttle | DVD | (17/11/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £24.99

  Charlie's Angels: Cameron Diaz Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu are Charlies Angels - a trio of elite private investigators who with the latest in high-tech gadgets martial arts techniques and a vast array of disguises unleash their state of the art skills on land sea and air. Their goal to track down a kidnapped billionaire-to-be and keep his top-secret voice identification software out of his lethal hands. Aided by their faithful lieutenant Bosley (Bill Murray) and u

• V for Vendetta Titans of Cult Steelbook | Blu Ray | (02/11/2020) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  Who is the man who hides his scarred face behind a mask? Hero or madman? Liberator or oppressor? Who is V and who will join him in his daring plot to destroy the totalitarian regime that dominates his nation? From the creators of The Matrix trilogy comes V for Vendetta, an arresting and uncompromising vision of the future based on the powerfully subversive graphic novel. This Collector's Set Includes: V for Vendetta on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Two new pieces of EC on 4K disc (not in 4K Resolution) Collectable SteelBook Case Exclusive Acrylic Pin housed in a SteelBook Mini Case Special Features: NEW: Natalie Portman's Screen Test NEW: V for Vendetta Unmasked: Making-of with filmmakers and cast James McTeigue & Lana Wachowski in Conversation : Looking back on V for Vendetta Director's Notebook: Reimagining a Cult Classic for the 21st Century: Director James McTeigue (Joined by Stars Natalie Portman and Hugo Weaving and Other Creative Team Members) Traces in Detail the V Saga from Graphic Novel Origin Through the Movie's Execution. Designing the Near Future Remember, Remember: Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot England Prevails: V For Vendetta and the New Wave in Comics Freedom! Forever!: Making V For Vendetta Saturday Night Live Digital Short Cat Power Montage Theatrical Trailer

• Legacy Of The Lions | DVD | (29/11/1999) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Presented by John Inverdale Legay of the Lions is the definitive insight into one of the most unique institutions in British sport 'The British Lions'. With action packed footage of gruelling tours scintillating tries and amusing anecdotes about what really happens on tour recalled by some of the all-time greats who pulled on the famous Lions jersey. Spanning the history of the Lions from the first tour in 1888 through the triumphant '71 & '74 tour and up to the most recent vi

• High Society / Calamity Jane | DVD | (21/03/2006) from £9.01   |  Saving you £1.98 (21.98%)   |  RRP £10.99

  High Society: Beautiful aloof Newport heiress Tracy Lord (Kelly) is about to marry bland businessman George Kittredge (John Lund) but matters become complicated when her ex-husband C K Dexter-Haven (Crosby) moves to her neighbourhood determined to win back her hand. Things go from bad to worse for Tracy when journalist Mike Connor (Sinatra) arrives to cover the wedding for Spy Magazine. When Tracy is forced to choose between her suitors will she realise that ""safe"" doesn't a

• Green For Danger | DVD | (17/04/2006) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

  Alastair Sim stars as the eccentric and irreverent Inspector Cockrill of the Kent County Police alongside Trevor Howard and Rosamund John in this truly classic and suspenseful murder mystery from the acclaimed film-making partnership of Frank Launder and Sidney Gilliat. August 1944. German flying bombs are raining down on London. Directly under their flight path is a small cottage hospital. Inside the tension is almost unbearable for the dedicated team of surgeons and nurses - and no

• Buffalo 66 | DVD | (22/03/2004) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £12.99

  A prime example of 1990s independent film-making, Buffalo 66 is a little-known gem of a film which, once found, will be cherished. Vincent Gallo--the New York Bohemian extraordinaire--co-wrote the semi-autobiographical script. He also directed and starred in this dark comedy and, as if that wasn't enough, contributed to the mind-blowing soundtrack. By employing alternative filming techniques for what is, in essence, a traditional boy-meets-girl story, Gallo has created an indie movie with genuine mainstream appeal. A handheld camera and the flashback sequences use beautiful grainy cine film and 70s Polaroids, while as a whole the tone of the piece shifts between lavish theatrical images and reality TV. However, out of the many mesmerising scenes within the film, it is the isolated performances that offer the most heartfelt beauty, notably Cristina Ricci's solo light tap dance and Gazzara's mime to a song actually performed by Gallo's father in the distant past. An all-star cast also includes Angelica Huston, Ben Gazzara and Mickey Rourke. Buffalo 66 is an overlooked modern classic just waiting to be discovered. --Nikki Disney