Not enough people went to see True Crime in cinemas. Wasn't Clint Eastwood too old to be playing a guy who a variety of glorious women, from the middle-aged Diane Venora and Laila Robins to the young Mary McCormack and Lucy Liu, find attractive? Could the onetime Man with No Name credibly play a brilliant crime reporter, Steve Everett, with an ironic turn of phrase and an incurable habit of screwing up both his personal and professional lives? The respective answers to those questions are: hell no and hell yes. True Crime features one of Eastwood's best and most entertaining performances--and his work as director is utterly assured. The story (from Andrew Klavan's bestselling novel) gives Everett the last-minute assignment of interviewing a condemned man (Isaiah Washington) on the eve of his execution. The prisoner, a born-again Christian and exemplary family man, has everything the reporter lacks except a shot at seeing the next sunrise. Everett sets out to get him that, yet far from making a beeline to the exculpatory evidence that will save the life of his "client," this very tarnished hero has to spend a lot of the next 24 hours contending with the baggage he's accumulated through drinking, wenching and familial neglect. (A Pirandellian note: Everett's daughter is played by Eastwood's own daughter, Francesca Fisher-Eastwood, and her mother, Frances Fisher, returns for a feisty cameo as a prosecutor.) This is a good one that got away. Don't let it happen again. --Richard T Jameson
Forty years after Sam Peckinpah's hugely controversial 1971 original, Rod Lurie adapted and directed a new version of Straw Dogs, with a very deliberate change of location and an updating of the social context. Instead of being set in Britain, the story now takes place in small-town Mississippi, where Hollywood screenwriter David Sumner (James Marsden) is moving with his wife Amy (Kate Bosworth). She grew up in Blackwater, which she aptly refers to as "backwater," but has since become a much-desired TV actress. In their isolated house, David will write while Amy's ex-beau (Alexander Skarsgård) repairs the adjacent barn with his redneck buddies. In drawing the unease between this effete, conflict-averse intellectual and the swaggering, flag-waving, God-fearing locals, Lurie (The Contender) seems to be aiming at the hostility between red state/blue state America in 2011. But the movie breaks down when it gets to the sadistic plot turns that lead to the savage finale, a siege in which David is pushed to his primal self. In the Peckinpah film, this was a hellish and ambiguous exorcism, but here the events just seem ugly, and the movie loses control of its perspective about halfway through. James Marsden is a game actor, but he can't be as convincing a bookworm as Dustin Hoffman was in the original film. Kate Bosworth's ambivalence is the most interesting thing at play here, as she suggests the marriage might have been less than perfect all along. That subtle discontent is more intriguing than the movie's lurid collapse into ultraviolence. --Robert Horton
Shadow Run ought to be considerably more interesting than it is--Geoffrey Reeve is an efficient director and both Michael Caine and James Fox turn in icy performances as, respectively, an almost completely ruthless thief and the renegade intelligence man who hires him for that one last big job. Caine in particular is convincing in the half-hearted attacks of compunction that never stop him killing obstacles. Many of the bit-players--Lesley Grantham, for example--do a lot with almost nonexistent parts. The film counterpoints the planning of the heist with the social embarrassments of the fat schoolboy who becomes, by a series of coincidences, too informed about it and, ultimately, Caine's secret sharer. Reeve is rather too in love with the cathedral school background of the subplot and skimps too much on the complicated technical business of getting a computerised security van into a radio blackout zone. Still, the boy is excellent, and Caine's affair with the doomed hooker Rae Baker has some much-needed moments of wit. On the DVD: Disappointingly, the DVD, whose Dolby surround sound does miracles for the scenes of schoolboy choristers, is presented in pan and scan 1.33:1, and has no extra features except for chapter selection and trailers for other films.--Roz Kaveney
This pleasant enough comic-strip adaptation features Billy Zane in purple tights and a Lone Ranger mask as a 1930s daredevil who lives in a cave, has a pet dog called Devil, and devotes himself to goodness and justice and that sort of thing. Treat Williams is a nasty millionaire out to collect the evil-plot coupons (a set of jewelled skulls) so he can send off for ultimate, world-ruling power. Zane, plus peppy heroine Kristy Swanson, is out to stop Williams by jumping from aeroplanes onto horses, grinning as he biffs scurvy minions and resisting the wiles of ludicrous lady pirate Catherine Zeta Jones. Unlike most recent comic book films, The Phantom makes no attempt at bringing its 30s-created superhero up to date: there is a lot of charming period detail and a refreshingly unneurotic, healthy hero and heroine team, but it seems a bit embalmed by its resurrection of serial-style thrills. --Kim Newman
Churchill is transformed into a handsome G.I. in this spoof of the American way of rewriting and re-devising history from the writer and director of "Stella Street".
James Bolam stars as the lovable rogue Jack Ford in this classic series set in Tyneside at the end of the First World War.
Its seedy London setting and sharp humour prefiguring Minder, which launched just six months later, this light-hearted ATV drama series centred on the exploits of the eponymous small-time crook first encountered in the 1975 thriller The Hanged Man. The series finds Turtle and his accomplice, retired hooligan Razor Eddie, in accidental possession of a van containing eighty safe deposit boxes - the proceeds of a major bank raid. From top-secret documents to mysterious chemical formulae, the highly valuable contents are soon being sought by their former owners, with a new adventure unfolding as each box is opened. The lovable petty thieves may have a new source of income, but they also find themselves dodging the law, in the form of the relentless but continually thwarted Superintendent Rafferty, their fellow lawbreakers, and some altogether more sinister characters. Devised and written by Edmund Ward (The Main Chance) with guest appearances from Antony Sher, Joss Ackland and Peter Bowles, among many others, its no surprise that this fresh, witty and original series has garnered a considerable cult following.
The film Silent Movie is director Mel Brooks's comic tribute to the golden days of the silent screen. A movie within a movie 'Silent Movie' stars Brooks as Mel Funn a filmmaker who has seen better days for one thing he's just come out of a bout with the bottle. When his best friends (Marty Feldman and Dom DeLuise) rescue him from despair and convince him to make another attempt at moviemaking Mel comes up with an idea a silent picture. Alas this is the 1970s and in
Jagged Edge was one of a series of entertaining if porous thrillers crafted by screenwriter Joe Eszterhas before he wrote the ridiculous Showgirls. This 1985 movie is a taut mystery about an attorney (Glenn Close) who defends a newspaper publisher (Jeff Bridges) accused of murder. The fact that Close's character falls for him is more convenient than plausible, but it is a necessary emotional bridge for Eszterhas and director Richard Marquand (Eye of the Needle) to build toward a powerful finale. Scary, fun as courtroom dramas go, the film is well serviced by the two lead stars and has impressive support from co-star Peter Coyote and especially from Robert Loggia, who plays Close's cop buddy. --Tom Keogh, Amazon.com
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.
Buddy (Will Ferrell) is different from all of Santa's other elves. For one thing, he's a cotton-headed ninny muggins when it comes to making toys. For another, he's 6'3 . And the real clincher: he's human! So one special December, Buddy sets off on a holiday adventure to New York City in quest of his real dad. how Buddy finds his father (James Caan) and the meaning of Christmas is a joyous, jaunty, sweet-as-a-candy-cane gift for everyone who loves bright contemporary comedy - and timeless all-family classics. Extra Content: Focus Points! Fast Track Frivolity Makes Elf Even More Festive As Glimpses of the Movie's Magical Making Pop Up While You Watch the Movie. Special Features: Commentaries by Will Ferrell and Director Jon Favreau, deleted/alternate scenes, behind the scenes: Tag Along with Will Ferrell; Film School for Kids; How they made the North Pole; Lights, Camera, Puffin!; That's a wrap; Kids on Christmas; Deck the Halls; Santa Mania; Christmas in Tinseltown. Music from Elf, Elf Kareoke, Theatrical Trailer. Includes Funko Pocket Pop! Keychain of Buddy the Elf
For his first theatrical feature, Michael Mann (Manhunter, Public Enemies) returned to the rain-soaked streets of his hometown, Chicago, for a stunning piece of neo-noir starring James Caan (The Godfather, Rollerball) at his toughest. Caan plays Frank, a jewel thief and former convict who is looking to settle down with his girlfriend (Tuesday Weld, Once Upon a Time in America) and begin a family. But when his fence' is thrown from a window and the Chicago mafia begin to flex their muscles, his hopes of a quiet life become anything but With a sterling supporting cast in the shape of James Belushi, Robert Prosky, Willie Nelson and Dennis Farina, lush electronic score by Tangerine Dream and the assured direction of Mann, Thief is a standout eighties crime flick that paved the way for the his later urban thrillers such as Heat and Collateral as well as Nicolas Winding Refn's Drive. SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS: High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation of the director's cut from a new 4K film transfer, approved by director Michael Mann, with 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing Audio commentary by writer-director Michael Mann and actor James Caan The Directors: Michael Mann a 2001 documentary on the filmmaker, containing interviews with Mann, James Belushi, William Petersen, Jon Voight and others Stolen Dreams a new interview with Caan filmed exclusively for this release Hollywood USA: James Caan an episode of the French TV series Ciné regards devoted to the actor, filmed shortly after Thief had completed production The Art of the Heist an examination of Thief by writer and critic F.X. Feeney, author of the Taschen volume on Michael Mann Theatrical trailer Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by maarko phntm
The Volume 1 of Alfred Hitchcock's greatest films including Psycho (1960) Rope Saboteur Rear Window Shadow of a Doubt The Trouble with Harry and The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956). Saboteur (1942)Aircraft factory worker Barry Kane goes on the run across the United States when he is wrongly accused of a fire that killed his best friend. Special Features: Saboteur: A Closer Look Storyboards: The Statue of Liberty Sequence Alfred Hitchcock's Sketches Production Photographs Theatrical Trailer Shadow of a Doubt (1943)A young woman discovers her visiting Uncle Charlie may not be the man he initially seemed to be. Special Features: Beyond Doubt: The Making of Hitchcock's Favorite Film Production Drawings by Art Director Robert Boyle Production Photographs Theatrical Trailer Rope (1948)Two young men strangle their classmate hide his body in their apartment and invite his closest friends and family to a dinner party as a means to challenge the perfection of their crime. Special Features: Rope Unleashed Production Photographs Theatrical Trailer Rear Window (1954)A wheelchair bound photographer spies on his neighbours from his window and becomes convinced one of them has committed a serious murder. Special Features: Rear Window Ethics: An Original Documentary A Conversation with Screenwriter John Michael Hayes Pure Cinema: Through the Eyes of The Master Breaking Barriers: The Sound of Hitchcock Hitchcock-Truffaut Interview Excerpts Masters of Cinema Feature Commentary with John Fawell author of Hitchcock's Rear Window: The Well-Made Film Production Photographs Theatrical Trailer Re-Release Trailer Narrated by James Stewart The Trouble with Harry (1955)The trouble with Harry is that everyone seems to have a different idea of what needs to be done with his body. Special Features: The Trouble with Harry Isn't Over Production Photographs Theatrical Trailer The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)A family holidaying in Morocco stumble on to an assassination plot and the conspirators are determined to prevent them from interfering. Special Features: The Making of The Man Who Knew Too Much Production Photographs Trailers Psycho (1960)A young woman steals $40 000 from her client and subsequently encounters a young motel proprietor who has been too long under the presence and domination of his mother. Special Features: The Making of Psycho Psycho Sound In The Master's Shadow: Hitchcock's Legacy Hitchcock-Truffaut Interview Excerpts Newsreel Footage: The Release of Psycho The Shower Scene: With and Without Music The Shower Scene: Storyboards by Saul Bass The Psycho Archives Posters and Psycho Ads Lobby Cards Behind-the-Scenes Photographs Production Photographs Theatrical Trailer Re-release Trailers Feature Commentary with Stephen Rebello (author of Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho)
In the action-comedy The Interview Dave Skylark (James Franco) and his producer Aaron Rapoport (Seth Rogen) run the popular celebrity tabloid TV show 'Skylark Tonight.' When they discover that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is a fan of the show they land an interview with him in an attempt to legitimize themselves as journalists. As Dave and Aaron prepare to travel to Pyongyang their plans change when the CIA recruits them perhaps the most unlikely candidates to 'take out' Kim Jong-un.
The legend of Merlin is given a modern re-telling in this fantasy which follows the friendship of young Merlin and King Arthur.
You're invited to help the Penguins and the whole zoo gang celebrate the biggest holiday of the year - King Julien Day. He's the leader of lemurs lord of the ringtails et cetera et cetera and et cetera! Packed with 8 Julien-filled episodes to keep the party going. Episodes Comprise: Happy King Julien Day! Assaults & Batteries Kingdom Come Operation: Plush & Cover Crown Fools Little Zoo Coupe Eclipsed Lemur See Lemur Do
Contains the complete classic television series The Red Hand Gang This short-lived 1970s American kids TV series was hugely popular in the UK and still retains a cult following today. Like an up-to-date Famous Five The Red Hand Gang was a group of five inner-city pre-teens who unwittingly found themselves foiling heists robberies and kidnaps. They were so called because they left their trademark red hand prints on fences to mark where they had been. The gang comprised of Frankie who was the oldest troublemaker JR tomboy Joanne brainy Doc Frankie's younger brother Lil' Bill and of course Boomer the dog!
Ugly duckling Brenda Thompson (Rita Tushingham) leaves her Liverpool home hoping to find romance in London. She moves in with her work-mate Caroline (Katya Wyeth), but remains lonely and bewildered in the big city. While wandering alone one night she finds a scruffy dog and becomes infatuated with its handsome master. Brenda later confesses to the dog's owner, Peter (Shane Briant), that she has come to London because she wants a baby. He offers her a proposition if she will move in and cook, clean and tell him stories, he will give her what she wants. Brenda is confused but deeply in love with her mysterious partner. Before long, however, she is trapped in a nightmare world of paranoia and murder from which there seems to be no escape traight On Till Morning took its title from J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan and was directed by Peter Collinson, who had previously made Up the Junction and The Italian Job. Filmed in and around Earl's Court, London, this dark and disturbing thriller was released in 1972 and represented a bold new direction for Hammer. EXTRAS: Original trailer
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.
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