Hit man Martin Q Blank (John Cusack) is in an awkward situation. Several of them, actually. He's attending his high school reunion on an assignment; he's got a rival hit man (Dan Aykroyd) on his tail; and he's going to have to explain to his old girlfriend (Minnie Driver) why he stood her up on prom night. Grosse Pointe Blank is an amiable black comedy, cowritten by Cusack and directed by Jonathan Demme protégé George Armitage (Miami Blues), has the feel of Demme's Something Wild and Married to the Mob--which is to say its humour is dark and brightly coloured at the same time. Cusack and Driver are utterly charming--as is the leading man's sister, Joan, who plays his secretary. (Cusack received an Oscar nomination for her next role, in In & Out.) Alan Arkin is also very funny as Martin's psychiatrist. --Jim Emerson
Hattie Jacques finally got to the play the title role in 1972 when Carry On Matron immortalised the character she had developed during several previous outings, most notably in Carry On Doctor. And she seized it with gusto. This is no one-dimensional performance, but a very human portrait of a woman doing her best to retain her authority in the face of mounting chaos--a raid planned by Sid James to steal the hospital's supply of contraceptive pills. Certainly, she's obsessed with regular bowel movements--this wouldn't be a Carry On film otherwise--but she remains a majestic figure of dignity with a touch of human warmth. Occasionally, too, a real hint of irony peeks through the slapstick and the innuendo. Surely scriptwriter Talbot Rothwell had his tongue lodged firmly in his cheek when he gave Barbara Windsor--then married to Ronnie Knight--a the line, "I don't fancy being a gangster's moll!" Terry Scott makes a guest appearance and Sid James is at his most conniving and lecherous. Theatre impresario Bill Kenwright has a cameo role and there's an early appearance from Wendy Richard as a prototype Pauline Fowler. But it's the female stalwarts who shine. Joan Sims and Hattie Jacques truly were comic actresses of the highest order. On the DVD: Presented like most of the other Carry On DVD releases in 4:3 picture format and mono soundtrack, this release has all the comfy quality of a lazy Saturday afternoon in front of the television. But where are the extras? It's one thing to launch a highly popular series of films as classic entertainment, but they deserve more than the budget treatment. As always, a cast list, some sort of documentary extra and biographies of at least the key players would really do them justice. --Piers Ford
Sinister and with a touch of the macabre, Tales of the Unexpected holds, at its heart, a core of black humour that makes each story both compelling and surprising, with a twist in each tale that delighted audiences throughout the country. Although Roald Dahl is best known for his children's books, his most famous and sinister adult creation was Tales of the Unexpected. Adapting works from Dahl himself, Patricia Highsmith, Ruth Rendell and a host of other celebrated writers, this highly acclaimed series ran for an impressive nine years from its first transmission on ITV in 1979. Its iconic title sequence and haunting theme tune (from prolific TV composer Ron Grainer) ensured that Tales of the Unexpected was memorable viewing. The series attracted an astonishing array of guest stars: Oscar winners Sir John Gielgud and José Ferrer, Ian Holm, Joan Collins, Sir John Mills, Peter Bowles, Derek Jacobi, Sian Phillips, Denholm Elliott, Zoe Wanamaker, Joss Ackland and Brian Blessed are just a few of the names to feature in its illustrious cast. Sometimes gory, but always surprising, the stories all have a twist to entertain and often shock the viewer. This set contains every episode of Tales of the Unexpected, originally transmitted between 1979 and 1988.
Cary Grant is the single most important star in the history of motion pictures Joe Queenan - The Guardian 9 Classic Movies Featuring Cary Grant Includes: Blonde Venus She Done Him Wrong Charade That Touch of Mink I'm No Angel The Grass Is Greener Indiscreet The Last Outpost Operation Petticoat
Toy Story: As six-year-old Andy's favorite toy Woody (Tom Hanks) a take-charge pull-string cowboy is confident in his role as room leader. But after Andy's birthday party newcomer Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) a flashy space ranger with laser action and pop-out wings crash-lands into Woody's world. Buzz instantly wins the admiration of Andy's other toys igniting a rivalry that lands the duo inside the home of Sid - the toy-torturing boy next door. To escape Sid's evil plans Woody and Buzz must work together and realize they've got the perfect friend...in each other! Toy Story 2: The original all-star voice cast from Toy Story is joined in Toy Story 2 by a new gang of unforgettable characters including Jessie the cowgirl Bullseye the horse and Stinky Pete the prospector. While Andy is away Woody is abducted by a greedy toy collector. Before you can say to infinity and beyond Buzz Lightyear Mr. Potato Head Hamm Rex and Slinky Dog spring into action in this thrilling and hilarious rescue mission. Winner of the Golden Globe for Best Picture Toy Story 2 won raves from critics and audiences alike... Toy Story 3: The creators of the beloved Toy Story films re-open the toy box and bring moviegoers back to the delightful world of Woody Buzz and our favorite gang of toy characters in Toy Story 3. Woody and Buzz had accepted that their owner Andy would grow up someday but what happens when that day arrives? In the third installment Andy is preparing to depart for college leaving his loyal toys troubled about their uncertain future. Lee Unkrich (co-director of Toy Story 2 and Finding Nemo) directs this highly anticipated film and Michael Arndt the Academy Award-winning screenwriter of Little Miss Sunshine brings his unique talents and comedic sensibilities to the proceedings.
In Corrina, Corrina Ray Liotta plays a 1950s jingle composer whose wife dies, leaving him to raise their grieving young daughter (Tina Majorino) alone. Dad hires an African-American housekeeper (Whoopi Goldberg), who helps fill the gap in the child's life--and then Dad's life. Soon an interracial relationship crossing the social mores of the era is underway. Written and directed by Jessie Nelson (The Story of Us), the film is a spot-on recreation of 1950s suburbia without gratuitous kitsch. Liotta is perfect as a working man of the day, given to white shirts and narrow ties; Goldberg gives one of her finest performances as the level-headed Corrina; and little Majorino is heartbreakingly effective. But the film entirely bears the stamp of one person, and that's Nelson, who has a wonderfully witty eye and a sophisticated but sensitive approach to the crosscurrents of emotion at play in this story. --Tom Keogh, Amazon.com
Compilation box set containing 19 specially selected films starring Cary Grant including: She Done Him Wrong/ Mr Lucky/ Father Goose/ Indiscreet/ Operation Petticoat/ That Touch of Mink/ The Grass is Greener/ Blonde Venus/ Charade/ Suspicion/ I'm No Angel/ The Last Outpost/ In Name Only/ None But The Lonely Heart/ Once Upon a Honeymoon/ Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House/ Sylvia Scarlett/ My Favorite Wife/ Bringing Up Baby)
All 30 episodes of David Lynch's landmark murder mystery series. Twin Peaks (population 51,201), a sleepy everytown USA where everyone's lives intersect with everyone else's, lies just five miles from the Canadian border. The town wakes up one morning to find one of its brightest young inhabitants, beautiful Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee) murdered and wrapped in plastic down by the river. Local Sheriff Harry S. Truman (Michael Ontkean) and tearful Deputy Andy (Harry Goaz) are out of their depth with such a murder case and an FBI agent is assigned to investigate. Youthful, charismatic and somewhat otherworldy in his approach to policing, Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) arrives to try and solve the case. Cooper's appearance causes ripples in the community and in turn he discovers that Twin Peaks is a small town full of secrets.
Featuring a collection of Peter Sellers' best films. Includes: 1. Heavens Above! (Dir. John Boulting & Roy Boulting 1963) 2. I'm Alright Jack (Dir. John Boulting 1959) 3. Only Two Can Play (Dir. Sidney Gilliat 1962) 4. Very Best Of Peter Sellers
Carry On Don't Lose Your Head parodies the adventures of the Scarlet Pimpernel, with crinkly cackling Sid James as master of disguise the Black Fingernail and Jim Dale as his assistant Lord Darcy. He must rescue preposterously effete aristocrat Charles Hawtrey from the clutches of Kenneth Williams' fiendish Citizen Camembert and his sidekick Citizen Bidet (Peter Butterworth). The Black Fingernail is assisted in his efforts to thwart the birth of the burgeoning republic by the almost supernatural stupidity of his opponents, who fail to recognise the frankly undisguisable Sid James even when dressed as a flirty young woman. What with an executioner who is tricked into beheading himself in order to prove the efficacy of his own guillotine, it's all a little too easy. As usual, no groan-worthy pun is left unturned, or unheralded by the soundtrack strains of a long whistle or wah-wah trumpet. This is pretty silly stuff even by Carry On standards, with most of the cast barely required to come out of first gear and an overlong climactic swordfight sequence hardly raising the dramatic stakes. Most of the humour here resides neither in the script nor the characterisation but in the endlessly watchable Williams' whooping, nasal delivery (occasionally lapsing into broad Cockney) and the jowl movements of the always-underrated Butterworth. --David Stubbs
Matt Damon returns as the amnesiac assassin Jason Bourne who must return to the world he has so tried to leave behind him when a murder is committed in his name.
The complete high-octane, ultra-violent Death Race trilogy with monster cars, machine guns, and bone crunching crashes. These action-packed explosive movies will have you gripping your seat at every twist and turn. Welcome to the most evil spectator sport on Earth... Welcome to Death Race. Death Race Special Features: Feature Commentary Picture in Picture Warden's Angle Elevated Angle Feature Angle Frank's Interior Angle Ground Angle Joe's Interior Angle Pit Crew Angle Behind the Wheel: Dissecting the Stunts Start Your Engines: Making a Deathrace Death Race 2 Special Features: Feature Commentary Deleted Scenes Deleted Shots Montage The Race Begins: The Evolution of Death Race Cheating Death: The Stunts of Death Race 2 Fast Cars and Firearms: The Cars of Death Race 2
In celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the birth of one of Ealing's greatest directors, Alexander Mackendrick, StudioCanal are releasing the restored version of the DVD and the first ever Blu-Ray of The Man In The White Suit starring Alec Guinness, Joan Greenwood, Cecil Parker. Ealing Studios' output from the 1940s and 1950s helped define what was arguably the golden age for British cinema. It fostered great directors such as Alexander Mackendrick and Robert Hamer, while giving stars such as Alec Guinness and Peter Sellers the chance to shine. Sidney Stratton (Alec Guinness), a humble inventor, develops a fabric which never gets dirty or wears out. This would seem to be a boon for mankind, but the established garment manufacturers don't see it that way; they try to suppress it. Nevertheless, Sidney is determined to put his invention on the market, forcing the clothing factory bigwigs to resort to more desperate measures. Special Features: Exclusive 'Revisiting The Man In The White Suit' Featurette Stills Gallery Restoration Comparison Trailer
Raymond Chandler's hard boiled novel is brought to the screen with sleuth Phillip Marlowe finding himself involved with murder blackmail and violence when hired to protect a General's young daughter.
John Alderton stars as a progressive teacher in charge of a classful of unruly pupils in the feature film version of one of television's all-time-great sitcoms! Created by comedy giants John Esmonde and Bob Larbey and co-starring the complete line-up of classic characters from the TV series Please Sir! is featured here as a brand-new High Definition remaster from original film elements in its original theatrical aspect ratio
June 2019 marks the 70th anniversary of the original UK release of KIND HEARTS & CORONETS, the jewel in Ealing Studios' crown, and arguably one of the finest British films ever made. To celebrate this anniversary STUDIOCANAL are releasing this stunning Collector's Edition as part of their Vintage Classics Collection on June 24th 2019. The Collector's Edition includes the restored film on Blu-ray, DVD plus booklet (with contributions from Ealing expert Matthew Sweet), art cards including original costume illustrations and theatrical poster. Hailing from the Golden-Age of Ealing comedies (Passport to Pimlico and Whisky Galore! also turn 70 this year) KIND HEARTS & CORONETS stars Dennis Price as the debonair yet impoverished Louis Mazzini, the would-be Duke of Chalfont whose mother was disinherited by her noble family, the D'Ascoynes, for marrying beneath her. When her dying wish to be buried in the family crypt is refused, Louis vows to avenge his mother and work his way up the family tree, by engaging in the gentle art of murder. One by one he attempts to kill off the eight successors that stand in the way of his becoming Duke all played by Alec Guinness in an unforgettable tour-de-force performance. Directed by Robert Hamer (who co-wrote the screenplay with John Dighton) KIND HEARTS & CORONETS also stars Joan Greenwood as the husky-voiced siren Sibella and Valerie Hobson as the refined and virtuous Edith D'Ascoyne, both of whom threaten to distract Louis from his murderous quest. A wonderfully entertaining combination of biting class satire, hilarious farce and pitch-black comedy, this story of a suave and elegant serial murderer is as sharp and funny today as ever. The 35mm nitrate original negative of Kind Hearts & Coronets was scanned in 4K resolution at 16bit by the BFI archive. The resulting files were sent to Silver Salt Restoration, for restoration and colour grading. Extensive manual correction was carried out on a frame by frame basis to fix large dirt debris, warping, tears, scuffs and scratches. It was colour corrected by Senior Colourist, Steve Bearman. Extras: The Collector's Edition includes the restored film on Blu-ray, DVD plus booklet, art cards and theatrical poster. Once More with Ealing - a brand new featurette including interviews with filmmakers Whit Stillman, Paul King, Stephen Woolley and critic Peter Bradshaw discussing their love for Ealing and the brilliant legacy of Kind Hearts & Coronets; Audio Commentary with Terence Davies, Peter Bradshaw and Matthew Guinness; Alternate US Ending + commentary; John Landis intro; BFI's Introducing Ealing Studios; Those British Faces: Dennis Price; Behind the Scenes stills gallery; Costumes stills gallery
Teenage prodigy Victor Frankenstein tells his father of his ambition to go to university in Vienna. The Baron objects, so Victor coldly sabotages his shooting rifle. The gun explodes in the Baron's face, killing him. Victor uses his inheritance to decamp to Vienna. Six years pass, and Victor leaves after getting the Dean's daughter pregnant; returning home with fellow student Wilhelm, he rescues his friend Elizabeth and her father, an eminent professor, from two highwaymen. He kills one, and covertly beheads him. Hidden away from housekeeper and bedwarmer' Alys, he and Wilhelm set about researches into the revival of dead tissue. The grisly career of the notorious Victor Frankenstein has begun This bold experiment in horror comedy was directed by Jimmy Sangster in 1970, and is one of the most unusual of all the Hammer horrors. Ralph Bates stars as the young Victor Frankenstein and Dave Prowse (later to embody Darth Vader in Star Wars) plays his monster. EXTRAS: NEW FEATURETTE - Gallows Humour: Inside The Horror of Frankenstein ORIGINAL TRAILER
The Bourne Legacy introduces a brand new hero Aaron Cross (Jeremy Renner) - an agent on the run from destruction and on a journey to discover the truth, in life-or-death stakes created by events of the first three Bourne Films. Cross and Dr. Shearing (Rachel Weisz) fight to survive as CIA Ops, led by Eric Byer (Edward Norton) attempt to shut down their Operation and make everyone involved disappear for good. The brains behind the previous films, Tony Gilroy, returns to take Bourne to the next level of this thrilling action series. An all-new cast is joined by veterans Albert Finney, Joan Allen, David Strathairn and Scott Glenn in The Bourne Legacy.
Atmospheric, superbly scripted and filled with the unexpected, this remarkable anthology series offers spine-tingling psychological and supernatural tales for younger viewers. Strongly remembered to this day, Shadows is one of the quintessential children's drama series of the 1970s.Producer Pamela Lonsdale - renowned for many landmark children's series - assembled an outstanding team of writers for this third series, including Fay Weldon and Joan Aiken, and Liverpool Poet Brian Patten; performers include Joan Greenwood, Clive Swift, Bryan Pringle, Ronald Hines and June Brown.This series also includes The Boy Merlin - the screenplay which was developed into the memorable children's series of 1979.
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