"Actor: James Frain"

• Empire | DVD | (11/08/2008) from £17.36   |  Saving you £2.63 (15.15%)   |  RRP £19.99

  The epic event of the year comes to DVD in the mini-series Empire. Complete with unrated and extended scenes Empire is presented for the first time as a seamless feature. The Roman Empire is plunged into chaos when Julius Caesar is assassinated and his power is passed on to his 18-year-old nephew Octavius. With his guardian former gladiator Tyrannus Octavius is forced into exile to escape those who wish to sever Caesar's bloodline permanently. Under Tyrannus' tutelage Octavius prepares to face off against the treacherous Marc Antony and fulfill his destiny as the leader of Rome. Empire boasts powerful acting says the Wall Street Journal with a hot young cast that includes James Frain Colm Feore Jonathan Cake Santiago Cabrera and Emily Blunt. Filmed entirely in scenic Italy Empire tells the thrilling story of a hero's rise amidst the greed intrigue and lust of ancient Rome.

• Miracle Maker | DVD | (30/10/2000) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £15.99

  This animated feature-length life of Jesus boasts a stellar pedigree. Originally a BBC Wales production, it showcases the voices of some of Britain's finest actors in any medium: Ralph Fiennes as a brooding and humble Jesus, Miranda Richardson as Mary Magdalene, Richard E. Grant as John the Baptist and David Thewlis as Judas. The lovely, flute-heavy score is by Oscar-winner Anne Dudley (The Full Monty). And clearly a lot of expense has gone into the Claymation-like animation. But while it's hard to find fault with the rendering of this familiar story--it is respectful and definitely done, you might say, by the Book--it would have been nice if there had been a tad more joy, if it walked a bit lighter in its sandals. As it is, all the characters seem consistently subdued, whether they are expressing angst, rage, terror or bliss--none of which is helped by the figures' blank-eyed stares (if animators are becoming ever more sophisticated, why can't they get rid of those creepy blank gazes once and for all?). Still, the weight of having such formidable actors play these familiar roles lends the production a certain credibility, and parents looking for good religious videos that won't insult their kids' intelligence will be thrilled. --Anne Hurley

• Water for Elephants | Blu Ray | (05/09/2011) from £9.70   |  Saving you £15.29 (157.63%)   |  RRP £24.99

  Sara Gruen's bestselling novel comes to glossy life in this period romance. A sparkle-free Robert Pattinson plays Jacob Jankowski, who studies veterinary medicine during the Great Depression. After a family tragedy, he loses everything, including the chance to graduate from prestigious Cornell, so he hops a train, where he finds himself part of the struggling Benzini Brothers Circus. Ringleader August (Christoph Waltz, echoing his Oscar®-winning Inglourious Basterds performance) has doubts about the softhearted lad, but a fellow Pole smoothes the way, and Jacob becomes the company vet, which leads him to platinum-blonde equestrian Marlena (Reese Witherspoon), August's wife. The two make eyes at each other, but an affair would surely end badly, so they concentrate on their work. When Marlena's prize steed falls ill, August purchases an elephant, hoping Rosie will turn their fortunes around, and enlists Jacob to train her. Unfortunately, she's slow to respond to commands until Jankowski unlocks her secret--and after August has beaten the poor thing into submission. After that, things start to look up until Jacob steals a kiss from his dream girl. As in The Notebook, the film it most closely resembles, an elderly version of the central character (Hal Holbrook, touching) narrates in the present day (screenwriter Richard LaGravenese also adapted The Bridges of Madison County). He tells an interesting tale, so it's too bad the leads strike so few sparks. For those who find big-top classics like Nightmare Alley too dark, however, Francis Lawrence's feel-better variant may be just the ticket. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

• Hilary And Jackie (Wide Screen) | DVD | (10/09/2001) from £6.88   |  Saving you £6.10 (156.81%)   |  RRP £9.99

  It earned Oscar nods, yet this cinematic look at a genius--that of English cellist Jacqueline du Pré, who enraptured audiences with her bold, emblazoned and wholly unconventional playing style, and who died at age 42--was criticised for its "lapses" in truth by people who purportedly knew du Pré. Some of the controversy revolved around the other main character in Anand Tuckers gorgeous, involving movie--du Prés sister, Hilary, whose book,A Genius in the Family (cowritten with brother Piers), dished some dirt on Jackies sleeping with Hilarys husband. But dont let that deter you from this ebullient movie experience. Hilary and Jackie is a bisected story (each sisters tale is told in the same amount of screen time) teeming with heartfelt drama that belies the cheap shots it received from its detractors. Its stirring, reckless, loving, involving, and rife with unconventional passion; passion for music, life, art, and the delicate relationship between these two synchronous, extraordinary sisters as played by brilliant actors Emily Watson and Rachel Griffiths (both of whom earned Oscar nods). Though Watson got the juicy, showy role as Jackie, its Griffiths who provides the heart, soul, and spine of the film. And director Tucker has that gift of being able to explain through the visual medium what is happening inside of his characters heads. Hes helped by a fine screenplay by Frank Boyce Cottrell. No matter what the truth of Hilary and Jackie might really be, this is an exceptional, rare film that is defined and graced by fine acting and writing. --Paula Nechak

• Rome, Blood & Sand | DVD | (04/06/2012) from £5.18   |  Saving you £14.81 (285.91%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Rome, Blood and Sand is set in Rome, 44 B.C. Conqueror Julius Caesar returns from his triumph in Spain to a neglected and corrupt Republic. As the Ides of March draw near, his blood will be spilled, and the fate of the Roman Empire will fall upon the shoulders of one young man. Witness the epic true story of Caesar’s nephew Octavius, who successfully battled General Marc Antony for the throne and revolutionized the Roman Empire. This epic film depicts the gritty reality of life in the Roman Empire.

• Path To War | DVD | (28/07/2003) from £15.17   |  Saving you £-9.18 (N/A%)   |  RRP £5.99

  As the successor to a martyred president Lyndon B. Johnson sought to transform America into a 'Great Society' of equal opportunity. Instead he became the symbol for the most unpopular war in U.S. history. Michael Gambon (as President Johnson) Donald Sutherland (as Clark Gifford) and Alec Baldwin (as Robert McNamara) star in a compelling drama of soaring ambition and shattered dreams set inside the LBJ White House in the volatile years leading up to and during Vietnam. This HBO production was decorated director John Frankenheimer's final film.

• Rasputin | DVD | (24/07/2000) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £15.99

  Prince Alexei heir to the last Tsar is a hemophiliac. The Tsarina is persuaded to allow a mysterious monk Rasputin to use his powers of healing on the Prince. Against the wishes of the Tsar Rasputin tends to the young Prince - with frighteningly successful results. So begins a relationship which ended in Rasputin's murder and the eventual downfall of Imperial Russia...

• Deception | DVD | (25/04/2011) from £9.89   |  Saving you £13.09 (189.71%)   |  RRP £19.99

  An accountant is introduced to a mysterious sex club known as The List by his lawyer friend. But he soon becomes the prime suspect in a woman's disappearance and a multi-million dollar heist.

• The Tudors - Series 3 | Blu Ray | (07/12/2009) from £10.10   |  Saving you £29.89 (74.70%)   |  RRP £39.99

  The Tudors returns for a third season of passion and treachery in this compelling drama about the early years of King Henry VIII's 40-year reign.

• Deception | DVD | (09/04/2001) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £15.99

  A solid enough thriller held together by some somewhat implausible plot devices, Deception stars Ben Affleck as Rudy, whose cellmate Nick is lucky enough to be pen-pal to the beautiful Ashley (Charlize Theron) who in turn has pledged herself, body and soul to the man inside whom she has never set eyes upon. Upon his release, Rudy decides to pose as Nick in order to take up with this luscious and adoring female. Unfortunately, the scheme backfires on Rudy when he discovers that Ashley was apparently a pawn in her ruthless brother Monster's game to coerce him into helping him and his gang of gun-runners rob a casino that Nick used to work in. Deception rumbles along at a pretty seedy, violent pace for a long time, with Rudy's efforts to escape resulting in Monster (a menacing Gary Sinise) using him as a dartboard in one memorably brutal scene. Following their raid on the casino, however (clad in Santa outfits), the plot takes a couple of devilish twists and turns which reward the viewer prepared to come this far down the road with these people. The lack of empathy may be redeemed by some viewers with a scene featuring Charlize Theron naked in a pool. --David Stubbs

• Armadillo | DVD | (07/09/2015) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Lorimer Black is not the man he appears to be One winter's morning in London, loss adjuster Lorimer Black handsome, clever, insomniac goes to keep a routine appointment to assess an insurance claim and finds a hanged man. Not a good start to the day by anyone's standards, but for Lorimer it is the beginning of a time of confusion and betrayal that turns his life upside down. As Lorimer, increasingly stressed and baffled by the actions and deceptions of those around him, battles through, he realises the peace and security he craves can only be provided by escape Adapted by William Boyd from his bestselling novel, Armadillo is a darkly comic and acute exploration of modern life and the need we all feel to be safe and loved. ˜An immensely stylish piece of work packed with things that don't make sense just yet, but the trick is to absorb, not analyse a fine performance from the always brilliant Hugh Bonneville as the horrifying insensitive Torquil' Mail on

• Spartacus | DVD | (25/10/2004) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £12.99

  Once a slave. Forever a legend. Sentenced to spend out the rest of his adult life labouring in the harsh deserts of Egypt Thracian slave Spartacus gets a new lease on life when he is purchased by the owner of a Roman gladiator school. Moved by the defiance of Ethopian warrior Draba Spartacus leads a slave uprising which threatens the very foundations of the republic of Rome...

• The Cape - Season 1 | DVD | (26/09/2011) from £10.00   |  Saving you £14.99 (60.00%)   |  RRP £24.99

  Officer Vince Faraday (David Lyons) was a good cop trying to clean up a corrupt city. Framed for murder and left for dead, he suddenly found himself separated from his family and forced into hiding. Now, inspired by his son's favourite comic book hero, he's taking the law into his own hands, and playing a deadly game of chess with the powerful kingpin who framed him. With the hope of one day reuniting with his family, The Cape is sending a loud message to all criminals... run.

• Dark Relic: Sir Gregory, The Crusader | DVD | (09/04/2012) from £6.73   |  Saving you £9.26 (57.90%)   |  RRP £15.99

  Returning from a long and tiring battle, Sir Gregory (James Frain, True Blood) and his loyal men are handed one final mission: they must find a piece of the True Cross - the crucifixion cross of Jesus Christ and return with it as a gift to the Pope. However...

• Intruders | Blu Ray | (05/01/2015) from £9.09   |  Saving you £15.90 (174.92%)   |  RRP £24.99

  Intruders is a bold intelligent ambitious drama written by Glen Morgan (The X-Files) and starring John Simm and Mira Sorvino. Strange apparently unrelated events are taking place: Amy (Mira Sorvino) the wife of our anti-hero troubled ex-cop Jack Whelan (John Simm) vanishes after behaving erratically. The family of a brilliant but obscure scientist are brutally murdered. A nine-year-old girl (Millie Brown) begins having nightmares and runs away from home after displaying unsettling characteristics. These seemingly disparate events quickly collide to reveal a larger conspiracy.

• Arabian Nights | DVD | (30/05/2007) from £28.80   |  Saving you £-24.81 (N/A%)   |  RRP £3.99

  A young Sultan named Schahriar must find a wife before the next full moon, otherwise the kingdom will be given to his exiled brother, Schahzenan. Schahriar is skeptical about marrying again, having been the target of a failed assassination attempt by his first wife and his evil brother. However, he sends the old Grand Vizier, Jafar, to find a wife for him, planning to kill her the day after he inherits the kingdom. Ironically, it is Jafar's own daughter, Scheherazade, who offers to marry Scha...

• Transit | Blu Ray | (07/05/2012) from £9.60   |  Saving you £10.39 (108.23%)   |  RRP £19.99

  A family on a road trip is stalked by criminals who stashed stolen money in their car.

• The Tudors - Season 3 | DVD | (01/10/2012) from £5.01   |  Saving you £12.98 (259.08%)   |  RRP £17.99

  The Tudors returns for a third season of passion and treachery in this compelling drama about the early years of King Henry VIII's 40-year reign.

• Water for Elephants - Triple Play (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy) | Blu Ray | (05/09/2011) from £7.64   |  Saving you £20.34 (437.42%)   |  RRP £24.99

  Sara Gruen's bestselling novel comes to glossy life in this period romance. A sparkle-free Robert Pattinson plays Jacob Jankowski, who studies veterinary medicine during the Great Depression. After a family tragedy, he loses everything, including the chance to graduate from prestigious Cornell, so he hops a train, where he finds himself part of the struggling Benzini Brothers Circus. Ringleader August (Christoph Waltz, echoing his Oscar®-winning Inglourious Basterds performance) has doubts about the softhearted lad, but a fellow Pole smoothes the way, and Jacob becomes the company vet, which leads him to platinum-blonde equestrian Marlena (Reese Witherspoon), August's wife. The two make eyes at each other, but an affair would surely end badly, so they concentrate on their work. When Marlena's prize steed falls ill, August purchases an elephant, hoping Rosie will turn their fortunes around, and enlists Jacob to train her. Unfortunately, she's slow to respond to commands until Jankowski unlocks her secret--and after August has beaten the poor thing into submission. After that, things start to look up until Jacob steals a kiss from his dream girl. As in The Notebook, the film it most closely resembles, an elderly version of the central character (Hal Holbrook, touching) narrates in the present day (screenwriter Richard LaGravenese also adapted The Bridges of Madison County). He tells an interesting tale, so it's too bad the leads strike so few sparks. For those who find big-top classics like Nightmare Alley too dark, however, Francis Lawrence's feel-better variant may be just the ticket. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

• Hilary And Jackie | DVD | (10/09/2001) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

  It earned Oscar nods, yet this cinematic look at a genius--that of English cellist Jacqueline du Pré, who enraptured audiences with her bold, emblazoned and wholly unconventional playing style, and who died at age 42--was criticised for its "lapses" in truth by people who purportedly knew du Pré. Some of the controversy revolved around the other main character in Anand Tucker's gorgeous, involving movie--du Pré's sister, Hilary, whose book,A Genius in the Family (cowritten with brother Piers), dished some dirt on Jackie's sleeping with Hilary's husband. But don't let that deter you from this ebullient movie experience. Hilary and Jackie is a bisected story (each sister's tale is told in the same amount of screen time) teeming with heartfelt drama that belies the cheap shots it received from its detractors. It's stirring, reckless, loving, involving, and rife with unconventional passion; passion for music, life, art, and the delicate relationship between these two synchronous, extraordinary sisters as played by brilliant actors Emily Watson and Rachel Griffiths (both of whom earned Oscar nods). Though Watson got the juicy, showy role as Jackie, it's Griffiths who provides the heart, soul, and spine of the film. And director Tucker has that gift of being able to explain through the visual medium what is happening inside of his character's heads. He's helped by a fine screenplay by Frank Boyce Cottrell. No matter what the truth of Hilary and Jackie might really be, this is an exceptional, rare film that is defined and graced by fine acting and writing. --Paula Nechak