"Actor: James Ma"

• Double Platinum | DVD | (19/06/2000) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £5.99

  A soapy backstage melodrama originally produced for network broadcast, Double Platinum downplays showbiz verisimilitude to turn on the tears. With 60s soul queen Diana Ross and 90s pop princess Brandy sharing production credit as well as billing, this formulaic tearjerker focuses on its stars' dramatic chops more than their musical prowess, a choice that won't deter their respective audiences, even as it disappoints less partisan music fans who might have hoped for a stronger musical component.Olivia King (Ross) is the former St. Louis housewife who abandoned her family for pop stardom, only to return 18 years later determined to meet, and reconcile with, her daughter, Kayla (Brandy), now nurturing her own footlight fantasies. But when the prodigal mom finally does reveal herself to the bright, feisty teen, Kayla is outraged and then hard-boiled. Olivia's offer to help the undeniably talented girl make industry contacts is accepted, with the bitter caveat that the superstar should abandon any hopes of a true maternal bond with her embittered daughter. The usually imperious Olivia meekly accepts those terms, while the secretly yearning Kayla keeps up her tough-cookie cover, but the plot telegraphs its ultimate destination, even as the tears flow.Both stars acquit themselves well in the story's stormier clashes, and the emotional tug of the story is well engineered to soak hankies. Less credulous viewers will be hampered by the original songs--when Ross steps on-stage, her regal demeanour and flashy (if occasionally silly) gowns support her supposed status as a legend, but the utterly forgettable, generic songs she mouths deflate that image. That said, viewers less interested in the actual music than the glitzy idea of the two characters may well be content to wallow in the waterworks of a story that could as easily have been titled Divas: The Next Generation. --Sam Sutherland, Amazon.com

• Definitive Edition - X-Men | DVD | (05/03/2007) from £9.43   |  Saving you £3.56 (37.75%)   |  RRP £12.99

  Marvel Comics' team of mutant superheroes The X-Men return in a sequel to the blockbuster hit of 2001.

• The Hunted - Cimarron Strip | DVD | (19/05/2007) from £6.39   |  Saving you £-0.40 (N/A%)   |  RRP £5.99

  When wanted killers/brothers Felix and Gene Gauge turn themselves in to Marshal Crown they become the prime targets for every bounty hunter in the territory. With a 000 bounty on their heads a local wealthy rancher who believes his son was murdered by the Gauges hires a couple of ruthless cowpunchers to gun down the two brothers. When one of the brothers is shot and killed the other vows revenge on the rancher and the killers. A young man full of hatred with a reputation to build proves a handful for Jim Crown.

• Space Precinct - Vol. 1 - Double Duty / Protect And Survive | DVD | (05/09/2002) from £22.98   |  Saving you £-7.99 (-53.30%)   |  RRP £14.99

  Space Precinct is one of the oddest science-fiction shows ever. Launched at the same time as Babylon 5, and looking like a cross between that series and Blade Runner (1982), it is like B5 about a group of interplanetary peacekeepers on a space station around an alien planet. Except that, rather than any extrapolated SF future, an entire New York police unit has been transferred into space, lock, stock and two smoking raygun barrels. Produced by Gerry Anderson, the result seems too adult for children, too juvenile for adults. "Double Duty", the first episode, for example, involves our cop heroes hunting the alien monster that is slaughtering Demiter City's drug dealers, and the copious blood and one particular sexual reference suggest an adult show at odds with the nice children, cute aliens, comic relief robot and simplistic scenario. On the plus side, the special effects are especially lavish by TV standards, and the "Making of" documentary offers an interesting if brief introduction to modern SFX. Human actors wearing complex animatronic alien heads suggest aspects of Anderson's puppet shows (Stingray, Thunderbirds) meeting his live action series (UFO, Space 1999). Technically accomplished, Space Precinct is a genuine curiosity in search of a cult-audience. --Gary S. Dalkin

• Friends, Series 7 - Episodes 9-12 | DVD | (27/10/2003) from £3.98   |  Saving you £3.01 (75.63%)   |  RRP £6.99

  Season 7: lots happened behind the scenes between seasons and early on in the seventh year of the hit comedy, leaving audiences speculating this might be the last. Perry became seriously ill again, and returned looking more emaciated than ever. Cox regained weight, but despite finishing Scream 3 happily, things were already rocky with David Arquette. Much was made in the press about Aniston marrying Brad Pitt, of course, but the real news (allaying fans' fears) was NBC's expensive renewal of the cast for two years at $750,000 per episode each (more than six times their previous increase). Onscreen, at least there was Chandler and Monica's engagement lasting the whole year, despite predictable ups and downs (eg: "T.O.W. the Truth About London" revealing that Monica fancied Joey). By the time we finally get to "T.O.W. Chandler's Dad" (Kathleen Turner!), it seems inevitable that the two-part finale will be an insane mess--but with a happy-ish ending. Sure enough, "T.O.W. Chandler and Monica's Wedding" features Gary Oldman joining in the chaos as Chandler repeatedly goes missing. Other star turns in the year were Seinfeld's Jason Alexander as a suicidal Office Manager, Susan Sarandon as soap queen bitch Jessica Lockhart, Denise Richards as one of Ross and Monica's endless number of cousins and Winona Ryder as a surprise old friend, prompting "T.O.W. Rachel's Big Kiss". But perhaps the most telling instalment of this weirdly atmospheric year was "T.O.W. They All Turn Thirty". It suggested that maybe the Friends are all getting too old to carry on living their frivolous lives the same way after all. --Paul Tonks

• Giallo | DVD | (04/07/2005) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  A triple bill of stylish 'Giallo' thrillers from Italian maestro Dario Argento: The Bird With The Crystal Plumage (1970) The Cat o' Nine Tails (1971) and Phenomena (1984). The Bird With The Crystal Plumage : An American writer (Tony Musante - Toma TV series) travelling in Rome is the only witness to an attempted murder by a sinister man in a raincoat and black leather gloves though he is powerless to do anything to stop him. With a feeling that something is not quite right about the scene he has witnessed and the police's inability to make any progress he launches his own personal investigation - and nearly loses his life in the process. While this modern day Jack-the-Ripper type is slithering through the dark byways of Rome slicing up pretty girls director Dario Argento is carving up the emotions of terrified viewers. Dark deeds are mixed with black comedy worthy of Hitchcock in a film of almost unbearable tension and nail-biting suspense. Cat O'Nine Tales: The second movie directed by Dario Argento. With the screenplay by Dardano Sachetti and score by Ennio Morricone Cat O'Nine Tails is a haunting and suspensful thriller in the classic giallo tradition. The story begins when a blind puzzle maker (Karl Malden) overhears a conversation shortly before a robbery is committed at a genetics institute. When he teams up with a journalist (Franciscus) intent on solving the crime they uncover a trail off murders linked to the institute. Can they discover the murderer's identity before it is too late? Phenomena: Young Jennifer Corvino (Jennifer Connelly) is sent to study at an exclusive boarding school in Switzerland. A psychopathic killer is at large and has already murdered one of the academy's students. Jennifer sleepwalks and has a strange empathic relationship with insects. One day she befriends local entomologist Dr. McGregor (Donald Pleasance) who has been helping the police in their murder investigation with his knowledge of insects. McGregor encourages her to use her gift to track down the killer bu this places her in mortal danger...

• Bloodline | DVD | (04/06/2007) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

  The line between love and death is the bloodline. Based on the best-selling thriller. Featuring an extraordinary international cast Sidney Sheldon's Bloodline is a suspense thriller centering around an attractive and privileged woman who inherits the controlling interest of the family-owned pharmaceutical empire and almost immediately finds her own life in jeopardy. The film marks the return to the screen of Audrey Hepburn one of the legendary stars of the international film world and includes a first-rate cast - all of whom have good reason to do away with the endangered heiress. Magnificent locations in New York London Paris Sardinia Rome and Munich provide a sweeping panorama of the world of the jet set.

• Taggart - Death Without Dishonour | DVD | (02/04/2007) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £5.99

• Cracker - The Big Crunch | DVD | (12/05/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

  An illicit rendezvous discovered in a park initially appears to be a clear case of adultery but on closer inspection a darker picture develops. A man abuses his position of trust to recruit young girls into his religious sect. Morality is turned on its head when an innocent young girl is 'punished' for the wrong doings of her 'priest'. Bearing all the symbolism of the serpent rearing its ugly head in the Garden of Eden a world of religious fanaticism hypocrisy and perversity unfolds. Appearances can be deceptive as Fitz attempts to unearth the most sinister truths behind the religious fa''ade with spine-chilling consequences.

• Hawaii Five-O - Series 8 | DVD | (10/05/2010) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  Follow Steve McGarrett and his squad as they enforce the law and match wits with a gallery of memorable villians. Featuring powerful performances by glittering guest stars The Eighth Season is packed with the thrilling entertainment that made Hawaii Five-O a worldwide sensation.

• The Sopranos: Series 1 (Vols. 1-3) | DVD | (17/07/2001) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £32.99

  Pilot- The Sopranos: Tony Soprano agrees to see a psychiatrist after suffering a series of anxiety attacks. 46 Long: Acting boss of the family Giacomo 'Jackie' April is ill with cancer Tony gets into a power struggle with Uncle Junior that he doesn't want. Denial Anger Acceptance: Unbeknownst to her parents Meadow and her friend Hunter score some crystal meth from Brendan and Christopher to help them study. Meadowlands: Christopher along with his girlfriend Adriana finds Brendan's brains splattered all over his tub. College: Tony takes Meadow around Maine to interview for colleges. When Dr. Melfi telephones to cancel an appointment Carmela realises that Tony lied about his psychiatrist's gender and is immediately suspicious. Politics go out the window and Tony finds himself in strife as members of the family get head strong and make a stand. Tony's position becomes increasingly more uncomfortable. Still it gives him time to reflect. The Sopranos series won Golden Globes for Best Actor (James Gandolfini) best actress (Edie Falco) and best supporting actress (Nancy Marchand).

• The Twilight Zone - Vol. 2 | DVD | (29/05/2000) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £15.99

  It was in 1959 that ex-boxer and paratrooper turned screenwriter Rod Serling first opened the door to the "dimension of imagination" that is The Twilight Zone, a show quite unlike anything that had gone before, and better than much that has followed in its wake. This television series ran from 1959-1964 and it still looks fresh as ever, particularly on DVD. What distinguished the series (and still does) is the quality of the scripts, many of which were penned by Serling, but with significant contributions from veteran sci-fi authors and screenwriters such as Richard Matheson. Actors of the calibre of Robert Redford, Burgess Meredith, Lee Marvin and William Shatner gave some of their best small-screen performances, while an unforgettable main title theme by Bernard Herrmann and musical contributions from young turks such as Jerry Goldsmith underline the show's attraction for great creative talent both behind and in front of the cameras.There are four more selected episodes from the series on Volume 2. "Time Enough at Last" (episode 8) features Burgess Meredith in a heartbreaking role as the only survivor of nuclear holocaust whose dreams are (literally) shattered before his very eyes. "The Monsters are Due on Maple Street" (episode 22) is Serling at his humanitarian best, issuing a plea against prejudice and intolerance and dissecting the mechanics of mob hysteria all in the space of a half-hour television show. "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" (episode 123) is one of the Zone's most celebrated set pieces, featuring a pre-Star Trek William Shatner as the paranoid passenger who sees a gremlin on the plane's wing. Directed by Richard (Lethal Weapon) Donner from a script by Richard Matheson, this episode was one of those remade in the 1983 Twilight Zone film. There is more aircraft oddity in "The Odyssey of Flight 33" (episode 54), co-written by Serling with technical dialogue assistance from a TWA pilot, giving the crew's conversation the stamp of authenticity as they plunge back and then forward in time.On the DVD: A neat animated menu with a winking eye guides the viewer "Inside the Twilight Zone", which consists of digests of background information on the individual episodes, as well as a general history of the show, season-by-season breakdown and a potted biography of Serling. --Mark Walker

• John Wayne DVD Gift Set | DVD | (20/10/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Boxset contains: 'True Grit' 'The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance' 'El Dorado' & 'The Sons Of Katie Elder'.

• Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire | Blu Ray | (08/08/2016) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  The latest entry in the Harry Potter saga could be retitled Fast Times at Hogwarts, where finding a date to the winter ball is nearly as terrifying as worrying about Lord Voldemort's return. Thus, the young wizards' entry into puberty (and discovery of the opposite sex) opens up a rich mining field to balance out the dark content in the fourth movie (and the stories are only going to get darker). Mike Newell handily takes the directing reins and eases his young cast through awkward growth spurts into true young actors. Harry (Daniel Radcliffe, more sure of himself) has his first girl crush on fellow student Cho Chang, and has his first big fight with best bud Ron. Meanwhile, Ron's underlying romantic tension with Hermione comes to a head over the winter ball, and when she makes one of those girl-into-woman Cinderella entrances, the boys' reactions indicate they've all crossed a threshold. But don't worry, there's plenty of wizardry and action in Goblet of Fire. When the deadly Tri-Wizard Tournament is hosted by Hogwarts, Harry finds his name mysteriously submitted (and chosen) to compete against wizards from two neighboring academies, as well as another Hogwarts student. The competition scenes are magnificently shot, with much-improved CGI effects (particularly the underwater challenge). And the climactic confrontation with Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes, in a brilliant bit of casting) is the most thrilling yet. Goblet, the first installment to get a PG-13 rating, contains some violence as well as disturbing images for kids and some barely shrouded references at sexual awakening (Harry's bath scene in particular). The 2 1/2-hour film, lean considering it came from a 734-page book, trims out subplots about house elves (they're not missed) and gives little screen time to the standard crew of the other Potter films, but adds in more of Britain's finest actors to the cast, such as Brendan Gleeson as Mad Eye Moody and Miranda Richardson as Rita Skeeter. Michael Gambon, in his second round as Professor Dumbledore, still hasn't brought audiences around to his interpretation of the role he took over after Richard Harris died, but it's a small smudge in an otherwise spotless adaptation.--Ellen A. Kim, Amazon.com

• Friends, Series 7 - Episodes 21-23 | DVD | (27/10/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £6.99

  Season 7: Lots happened behind the scenes between seasons and early on in the seventh year of the hit comedy, leaving audiences speculating this might be the last. Perry became seriously ill again, and returned looking more emaciated than ever. Cox regained weight, but despite finishing Scream 3 happily, things were already rocky with David Arquette. Much was made in the press about Aniston marrying Brad Pitt, of course, but the real news (allaying fans' fears) was NBC's expensive renewal of the cast for two years at $750,000 per episode each (more than six times their previous increase). On-screen, at least there was Chandler and Monica's engagement lasting the whole year, despite predictable ups and downs (eg: "T.O.W. the Truth About London" revealing that Monica fancied Joey). By the time we finally get to "T.O.W. Chandler's Dad" (Kathleen Turner), it seems inevitable that the two-part finale will be an insane mess--but with a happy-ish ending. Sure enough, "T.O.W. Chandler and Monica's Wedding" features Gary Oldman joining in the chaos as Chandler repeatedly goes missing. Other star turns in the year were Seinfeld's Jason Alexander as a suicidal Office Manager, Susan Sarandon as soap queen bitch Jessica Lockhart, Denise Richards as one of Ross and Monica's endless number of cousins and Winona Ryder as a surprise old friend, prompting "T.O.W. Rachel's Big Kiss". But perhaps the most telling instalment of this weirdly atmospheric year was "T.O.W. They All Turn Thirty". It suggested that maybe the Friends are all getting too old to carry on living their frivolous lives the same way after all. --Paul Tonks

• Shadow Puppets | DVD | (14/04/2008) from £17.53   |  Saving you £-4.54 (N/A%)   |  RRP £12.99

  Jolene Blalock James Marsters and Tony Todd star in this creepy chiller about a group of strangers who awaken in a locked asylum ward with no idea of who they are or how they got there. They are half-naked cold and frightened. And they are not alone. Who has erased their memories? Why have they been imprisoned? And what is the supernatural force that is slaughtering them one by one? The answers wait deep in the darkness where a beast hungers to feed escape is virtually impossible and the shadows of sanity may hide the most shocking revelations of all.

• Hop with Limited Edition 3D Lenticular Sleeve | DVD | (12/03/2012) from £19.29   |  Saving you £-11.30 (N/A%)   |  RRP £7.99

  Blending state of the art animation with live action, Hop is a comedy about E.B. (voiced by Russell Brand), the teenage son of the Easter Bunny. On the eve of taking over the family business, E.B. leaves for Hollywood in pursuit of his dream of becoming a drummer. He encounters Fred (James Marsden), an out-of-work slacker with his own lofty goals, who accidentally hits E.B. with his car. Feigning injury, E.B. manipulates Fred into providing him shelter, and Fred finds himself with the world's worst houseguest.

• James May's Amazing Brain Trainer | DVD | (23/11/2009) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £15.99

  This DVD has been designed for you and your family to enjoy. But not only to enjoy. The whole point of this programme - the real reason I'm here...is to make you cleverer. The theory is really very simple the more you train your brain the fitter it will become. Think of me as a kind of training instructor for your noggin. The good news about this type of work out is that I don't have to don spandex shorts and a toweling head band. Test your memory numeracy and literacy skills as well as logic spatial awareness and other impressive brain type sounding things! This DVD also includes a fully verified nationally calibrated IQ test.

• Classic Taggart 3&4 Set | DVD | (05/11/2007) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  James McPherson is DCI Mike Jardine in this series of six thrilling Taggart murder mysteries. Packed full of twists and turns Jardine and his team's investigations lead them across a Glasgow landscape in an inevitable race against time. Set Comprises: Legends Angel Eyes Dead Mans Chest A Few Bad Men Long Time Dead Bloodlines

• 27 Dresses / Devil Wears Prada | DVD | (23/03/2010) from £6.99   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £6.99

  27 Dresses Katherine Heigl stars as a selfless young woman who is trapped in the role of perennial bridesmaid. Set in New York City, the film opens with Jane (Heigl) racing by cab to appear in two friends' weddings in the same night. She is the maid of honour for both fetes, and she rushes back and forth. She meets Malcolm (James Marsden), a cynical young man who, unbeknownst to her, writes for a newspaper's wedding column. Malcolm is intrigued by the sheer number of times Jane has played bridesmaid, and he secretly decides to write a story about her. To further complicate Jane's life, her younger sister Tess (Malin Akerman) has just come to town and ensnared Jane's longtime crush, George (Edward Burns). When George and Tess become engaged, Jane faces the humiliating prospect of playing bridesmaid in the wedding of her sister and the man she loves. Meanwhile, Malcolm continues hounding Jane, and Jane's life and closet soon explode in a taffeta-tangled mess that forces her to make some big changes. The Devil Wears Prada In The Devil Wears Prada, bookish Northwestern grad Andy Sachs interviews to become fashion magazine editor Miranda's newest lackey. Miranda hires her not for her lacklustre wardrobe but for her intellect. Inside the pristine offices, Andy suffers through a never-ending list of impossible tasks, and is the subject of constant harassment by Miranda's jealous first assistant. But to the dismay of her boyfriend and close friends, Andy slowly finds herself seduced by the glamorous world of fashion, and by Miranda herself.