"Actor: Jack Ha"

• Terms Of Endearment | DVD | (05/11/2001) from £6.41   |  Saving you £6.58 (102.65%)   |  RRP £12.99

  When Terms of Endearment was released in 1983, director and writer James L Brooks was lauded for his depiction of a complex mother/daughter relationship. For his leading ladies he chose actresses with two of the strongest personalities in Hollywood, but armed with an exceptionally witty script and endless patience he eventually drew magnificent performances from Shirley Maclaine as Aurora and Debra Winger as her daugher Emma, assisted considerably by Jack Nicholson's considerate professionalism. As the philandering retired astronaut who beds Maclaine and then provides her with surprising support in the film's dark later moments, Nicholson shines with comic brilliance which earned him an Oscar. It was no secret that Maclaine and Winger could barely contain a mutual antipathy on set. Yet they strike sparks off each other on screen. When comedy turns to tragedy with the development of Emma's cancer, the laughs continue even while the tear ducts are being given a good work out. In the glory days of Hollywood, this would have been acknowledged a great "women's picture" and its weepy credentials are impeccable. It stands out as a warm, accessible work that admirably rejects sugary sentiment in favour of the realistic rough edges that characterise most human relationships. On the DVD: Presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen with a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack, this DVD is ideal for home cinema viewing. The picture and sound quality are fine, benefiting Michael Gore's gentle, memorable music and bringing the best out of Andrzej Bartkowiak's luminous photography. In addition to the original theatrical trailer, the major extra is the director's commentary in which James L Brooks reminisces with coproducer Penney Finkelman and production designer Polly Platt. They look back at their impressive work with a touching degree of wonder and apprentice directors should take note when Brooks recalls his steep learning curve in managing his leading ladies. --Piers Ford

• Borderlands 4K UHD | Blu Ray | (04/11/2024) from £24.99   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  Based on the game from Gearbox and 2K, one of the bestselling videogame franchises of all time, welcome to Borderlands.Lilith (Cate Blanchett), an infamous outlaw with a mysterious past, reluctantly returns to her home planet of Pandora to find the missing daughter of the universe's most powerful S.O.B., Atlas (Edgar Ramirez). Lilith forms an alliance with an unexpected team Roland (Kevin Hart), a former elite mercenary, now desperate for redemption; Tiny Tina (Ariana Greenblatt), a feral pre-teen demolitionist; Krieg (Florian Munteanu), Tina's musclebound, rhetorically challenged protector; Tannis (Jamie-Lee Curtis), the scientist with a tenuous grip on sanity; and Claptrap (Jack Black), a persistently wiseass robot. These unlikely heroes must battle alien monsters and dangerous bandits to find and protect the missing girl, who may hold the key to unimaginable power. The fate of the universe could be in their hands but they'll be fighting for something more: each other.

• The Blue Lamp (Digitally Restored) | Blu Ray | (12/12/2016) from £11.88   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  Fifty years on, it's hard to appreciate just how shocking one key scene in The Blue Lamp was considered by British audiences. Young delinquent Tom Riley (played with sensuous malevolence by Dirk Bogarde) guns down kindly, benevolent copper, PC Dixon (Jack Warner.) In early 1950s Britain, murdering a policeman was the ultimate taboo. Even the underworld's denizens help the police flush Riley out. Made by Ealing Studios, The Blue Lamp is not a comedy but shares many of the studio's characteristic comic hallmarks, as well as the same writer (TEB Clarke) for their classics Hue And Cry and The Lavender Hill Mob. Consensus and tolerance are the watchwords. Individualism is frowned upon. There are no extravagant displays of emotion, not even from Mrs Dixon (Gladys Henson) when she learns what happened to her husband. The understatement is very moving, although by today's standards the representation of the police seems absurdly idealised. Were they ever the doughty, patient sorts depicted here? It is no surprise to learn that Scotland Yard co-operated in the making of the film but this is much more than just police propaganda. Well-crafted, full of finely judged character performances, it ranks with Ealing's best work. It was made at an intriguing historical moment: before rock and roll and the era of teenage affluence, there was simply no place for young tearaways like Tom Riley. --Geoffrey Macnab

• Rain Man | DVD | (17/04/2019) from £3.95   |  Saving you £16.04 (406.08%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Charlie Babbitt (Tom Cruise) expects a vast inheritance after his father dies. But the entire fortune is left to Raymond (Dustin Hoffman) his older brother, an 'autistic Savant' Charlie never even knew existed.

• Old Country | DVD | (12/11/2018) from £33.98   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  Following on from the hugely popular Out of Town, Old Country saw Jack Hargreaves continue his exploration of rural life in Thomas Hardy country reflecting on its character, traditions, history and folklore, and the skills that had passed from generation to generation. With his extensive experience, knowledge and love of the countryside, Hargreaves' easygoing presentation style enthralled both rural and urban viewers alike, making this - his final series for television hugely popular and fondly remembered to this day. An unsentimental record of a bygone time, his work set the bar high for all country matters series that were to follow in its footsteps. Unseen since its Channel 4 broadcast in the 1980s, Old Country contained all-new material and was the only time that Jack Hargreaves' work received a countrywide networked screening. This volume contains the 60 editions made for all three series. SPECIAL FEATURE: Archive Coast to Coast interview with Jack Hargreaves from 1987.

• Rambo Trilogy (Three Disc Box Set) | DVD | (10/10/2005) from £37.00   |  Saving you £2.99 (8.08%)   |  RRP £39.99

  Sylvester Stallone never courted as much controversy as he did with the screen violence of the Rambo trilogy. From 1982 to 1988, they kept his name above Schwarzenegger's in the muscle hero league, with "Rambo" becoming a descriptive phrase in the language to describe gung-ho aggression (in Japanese, "rambo" means "violence"). The strangest part of the character's success is that originally he had none. Both David Morrell's novel and the original incarnation of First Blood had the Vietnam vet committing suicide after his rampage through small town America. The un-Hollywood ending was changed when Stallone and the producers recognised here was a character with possibilities. First Blood: Part II was co-written by James (Titanic) Cameron, a man who has always recognised box office possibilities. Stallone took a very relevant (to 1985) issue of surviving POWs and created an alternative end to the Vietnam War. This was achieved courtesy of the Cold War animosity that still existed towards the Russians, embodied in a suitably vile cameo from Steven Berkoff. A little love interest helped ground the movie and prevent it from completely turning into a video game, as did the best of Jerry Goldsmith's stirring scores for the trilogy. After saving himself and then his Country, Rambo III was simply about saving his friend Richard Crenna. The code of honour was by this point watered down into a song lyric, "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother". Nevertheless the final instalment continues to say something about the indomitable American spirit that will not accept defeat lightly. Patriotism may never have been portrayed quite so bloodily before Rambo's arrival, but at least a generation learned to question attitudes to war veterans, as well as the benefits of carrying a compass in your hunting knife. On the DVD: The Rambo trilogy on disc brings together all three movies in crisp 2.35:1 widescreen transfers. Sadly the extras are a little thin considering how much more was on the old Laser Discs. The first film has but a trailer; the third has a few minutes of behind the scenes material; the second has quite a few mini-documentaries that could really have done with being edited together, and having repeated interviews cut out. But there's still fun to be had hearing how deep and meaningful the movies were in conception.--Paul Tonks

• Smash - Complete Series 1-2 | DVD | (27/07/2015) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £16.84

  This innovative and provocative dramatic musical series takes a look at the messy and compelling process that goes into the production of an original Broadway musical. It starts with a successful songwriting team portrayed by Debra Messing and Christian Borle who begin work on a new musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe. Then comes a tenacious producer (Anjelica Huston) with something to prove. The excitement grows once casting of the title role begins. From there it's a rollercoaster ride that will culminate on opening night when the audience will determine whether or not the show is a Smash. Bonus Features: Deleted Scenes Gag reel

• H.R. Pufnstuf - The Complete Series | DVD | (18/10/2004) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £39.99

  Jimmy has a magic flute that can talk and play tunes on its own. One day he is kidnapped by Witchiepoo the witch and taken to Living Island. Fortunately the island's mayor a six foot dragon named H. R. Pufnstuf and his deputies Kling and Klang rescue him and it's then that his adventures really begin. This release features the complete 17 episode series of Sid and Marty Krofft's much loved and phenomenally successful TV show. Episode titles: The Magic Path The Wheely Bir

• Annie / Oliver / Matilda / Madeline | DVD | (16/11/2015) from £9.98   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  Collection of four classic children's films. 'Annie' (1982) is the story of the eponymous optimistic orphan (Aileen Quinn) who lives a miserable life in an children's home run by the awful Miss Hannigan (Carol Burnett). One day, she sees her chance to escape and sets off on a journey which will take her to the door of childless millionaire Daddy Warbucks (Albert Finney). In 'Oliver' (1968) young Oliver Twist (Mark Lester) escapes from the workhouse, where he has been brutally treated all of his life, and joins the gang of street urchins led by the rascal Fagin (Ron Moody). Oliver is trained as a pick-pocket, but ends up being caught for a crime he did not commit. However, this seemingly unfortunate accident brings him closer to his real family. 'Matilda' (1996) stars Mara Wilson as the exceptionally gifted and intelligent child who is ignored by her stupid parents Harry (Danny DeVito) and Zinnia (Rhea Perlman). A keen reader, her dearest wish is to be sent to school, but the establishment Harry selects is Crunchemhall, run by the tyrannical Miss Trunchball (Pam Ferris). Her cruelty to her pupils causes Matilda to vow revenge, and her newly discovered telekinetic powers give her the chance to do so. 'Madeline' (1998) stars Hatty Jones as the most mischievous of the twelve friends who live at a Parisian school run by Miss Clavel (Frances McDormand). Her sunny existence is threatened by starchy old Lord Covington (Nigel Hawthorne) who is on a campaign to have the school closed down. It is up to Madeline and her friends, who include the equally precocious Pepito (Kristian de la Osa) and a dog who saved her from drowning, to stop him.

• Beyond Skyline | DVD | (17/04/2019) from £5.85   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  Get ready for intense sci-fi action adventure with Beyond Skyline, the stand-alone sequel to 2010 hit Skyline. Los Angeles Detective Mark Corley (Frank Grillo, Captain America: The Winter Soldier) thought bailing out his eighteen-year-old son, Trent (Jonny Weston, Taken 3), was the worst part of his day. But on the ride home, the skies above fill with a strange blue light. Within moments, the entire city's population is vacuumed up into a massive alien ship including his son. In the aftermath, the resilient Mark and a few survivors encounter a highly skilled resistance force in South East Asia, led by the deadly Sua (Iko Uwais, The Raid 1 & 2). In a race against time, these warriors from different sides of the world must unite to save their families and take back the planet.

• Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (Single Disc Edition) | DVD | (05/04/2004) from £11.99   |  Saving you £4.00 (33.36%)   |  RRP £15.99

  Russell Crowe stars as "Lucky" Jack Aubrey, who pits his crew of the HMS Surprise against a much better armed and ruthless enemy in a chase that takes him all the way to the far side of the world.

• Rambo: First Blood | DVD | (12/11/2018) from £6.99   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  When small town Washington sheriff Will Teasle (Brian Dennehy) detains a vagrant drifter for resisting arrest, little does he realise that he has set in motion a series of events that bring mayhem and bloody reckoning to his community. The shabby vagrant is in fact former Green Beret John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone), a hero of the Vietnam War who has returned home to find America no longer wants him. Responding to brutal treatment from Teasle's Deputies with sudden ferociousness, Rambo makes a daring escape from the town jail, steals a motorcycle and roars off towards the wilderness with the sheriffs not far behind Based on the bestselling novel by David Morrell, filmed during a brutal winter in British Columbia, First Blood is a breathtaking portrayal of America at odds with itself. Features: Rambo takes the '80s Part 1 Drawing First Blood - Making Of Alternate Ending Outtake Deleted scene: Dream in Saigon Original Trailer Sylvester Stallone Audio commentary Screenwriter David Morell Audio commentary

• Casualties Of War | DVD | (25/02/2002) from £8.98   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £5.99

  Hailed by critics as a masterpiece Casualties of War is based on the true story of a squad of soldiers caught in the moral quagmire of wartime Vietnam. Witness to a vile crime Private Eriksson (Michael J. Fox) is forced to stand alone against his fellow soldiers and commanding officer Sergeant Meserve (Sean Penn). A powerful and charismatic man pushed over the edge of barbarism by the terror and brutality of combat. With sweeping scope action and raw power master filmmaker Brian De Palma creates a devastating and unforgettable tale of one man's quest for sanity and justice amidst the chaos of war.

• Mars Attacks | DVD | (17/04/2019) from £6.23   |  Saving you £7.76 (124.56%)   |  RRP £13.99

  It's enlightening to view Tim Burton's Mars Attacks! as his twisted satire of the blockbuster film Independence Day, which was released earlier the same year, although the movies were in production simultaneously. Burton's eye-popping, schlock tribute to 1950s UFO movies actually plays better on video than it did in cinemas. The idea of invading aliens ray-gunning the big-name movie stars in the cast is a cleverly subversive one, and the bulb-headed, funny-sounding animated Martians are pretty nifty, but it all seemed to be spread thin on the big screen. On video, however, the movie's kooky humour seems a bit more concentrated. The Earth actors (most of whom get zapped or kidnapped for alien science experiments) include Jack Nicholson, Glenn Close, Annette Bening, Pierce Brosnan, Danny DeVito, Martin Short, Sarah Jessica Parker, Rod Steiger, Michael J Fox, Lukas Haas, Jim Brown, Tom Jones and Pam Grier. --Jim Emerson

• Their Finest | Blu Ray | (21/08/2017) from £4.44   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  1940, London, the Blitz; with the country's morale at stake, Catrin (Gemma Arterton; Gemma Bovery), an untried screenwriter, and a makeshift cast and crew, work under fire to make a film to lift the nation's flagging spirits; and inspire America to join the war. Partnered alongside fellow screenwriter, Buckley (Sam Claflin; Me Before You), the pair set off to make a film that will warm the hearts of the nation and capture the imagination of the American population. Alongside Gemma Arterton and Sam Claflin, Bill Nighy (Love Actually) stars as fading matinee idol Ambrose Hilliard, who reluctantly joins their production in a supporting role. Based on Lissa Evans' novel, ˜Their Finest Hour and a Half', THEIR FINEST is a witty, romantic and moving portrayal of a young woman finding her way, and her voice, in the mayhem of war and the movies!

• Swallows And Amazons | DVD | (25/07/2016) from £3.82   |  Saving you £14.17 (370.94%)   |  RRP £17.99

  The Railway Children (1970) and Swallows and Amazons (1974) are perfect bedfellows: two classic children's novels, simply and faithfully adapted for the big screen. Together they evoke a poignant nostalgia for the periods in which they are set--Edwardian and 1920s England, respectively--and for the childhood of anyone who has grown up watching them. Sentimentality reigns, of course, but it's never cloying. The truthfulness of the juvenile performances, balanced with restrained sympathy from the adults, sees to that. Flourishing under Lionel Jeffries' delicate direction, Jenny Agutter dominates The Railway Children as the oldest daughter of a family thrown on hard times when their father is wrongly sent to prison. They avert a train disaster, save an imperilled steeple chaser and reunite an exiled Russian with his wife, all with equal enterprise. Happy endings prevail after every crisis. And no number of repeat viewings can ever diminish the impact of father's return. One of the most expert tear-duct work-outs in film history, it hits the spot every time. Perhaps the lack of such a pivotal scene has kept Swallows and Amazons in the relative shade. But its gentle appeal survives with equal charm, not least in the resourcefulness of the eponymous children and the period detail. Together this pairing makes a double bill to treasure, and a piquant reminder that Disney doesn't have a complete monopoly on the rich heritage of children's cinema. On the DVD: The Railway Children and Swallows and Amazons is presented in standard 4:3 picture format, from so-so prints, and with acceptable mono soundtracks. Both films envelope the viewer in a comforting Sunday-afternoon haze. There are no extras, apart from scene indexes. --Piers Ford

• Coupling - Complete Series 1-4 Box Set (Special Collectors Edition) | DVD | (16/08/2004) from £48.89   |  Saving you £1.10 (2.25%)   |  RRP £49.99

  Two's Company. Three's a crowd. So what do you do with six? Who do you know who is over thirty sort-of-single and has a satisfying regular sex-life? Anyone? Being single isn't easy. But at least you've got your friends. But what happens when one of your friends falls in love with one of your friends' friends? This funny up-front series about love and lust amongst thirtysomethings centres around Susan and Steve - two lively sexy funny people who get together and start going out. Featuring series 1 to 4 of the hit BBC sitcom!

• Train Of Events | DVD | (02/02/2009) from £8.99   |  Saving you £7.00 (77.86%)   |  RRP £15.99

  Four different perspectives of a train disaster are told through a quartet of short stories.

• The Fox And The Hound | DVD | (15/10/2001) from £9.87   |  Saving you £10.12 (102.53%)   |  RRP £19.99

  One of Disney's less popular animated movies, for absolutely no good reason at all, because it's an excellent story, simply and expertly told. The box blurb rather confusingly compares it to Bambi, but this is a story which has rather more to do with how social conventions can divide friendships than the coming-of-age subtext which underlies the latter. The story is perhaps predictable--a fox cub and a puppy play together as friends, not realising that their places in the scheme of things dictate that they will grow up to become hunter and hunted. Of course, eventually they see the light and it all ends happily, but even so the story promotes the importance of tolerance. The master-stroke, however, is the gradually evolving realisation that the aggressive prejudices which we all stand to inherit from society are nothing more that the products of stupidity and manipulation, and should be treated with the contempt they deserve. Good stuff for kids and adults alike. Trivia buffs might like to know that this is one of the films Tim Burton worked on at Disney, his first job after graduating from college. --Roger Thomas

• Excess Baggage | DVD | (08/03/2004) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £5.99

  Alicia Silverstone was so hot after the success of Clueless that she formed her own production company at the age of 19, and Excess Baggage was the first movie she chose as a starring vehicle. Silverstone plays Emily, a spoiled rich girl who has everything but her father's affection, so she decides to stage her own kidnapping to see if dad will come to his senses and appreciate the daughter he so blindly disregards. But when Emily locks herself in the trunk of her own car, she's surprised when the car is stolen by Vincent (Benicio Del Toro, from Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas), a professional car thief whose partner (Harry Connick Jr.) has misplaced 200,000 dollars of the Mob's money. Christopher Walken stars as Emily's "Uncle Ray," who's hot on her trail as she goes on the lam with Vincent. It's not the meandering plot that matters so much as the funny dialogue between Silverstone and Del Toro, who steals his scenes with a smoky mumble and easygoing charm. Excess Baggage is mostly for Alicia fans, but the film has got enough good laughs and low-key appeal to make it a home-video sleeper. --Jeff Shannon