"Actor: John Harkins"

• Absence Of Malice | DVD | (16/07/2001) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  In 1981, Absence of Malice was a prescient drama set in the world of journalism just before its power exploded out of control. The title refers to a verbal loophole effectively allowing invasion of privacy. After months of fruitlessly investigating the disappearance of a prominent figure, the Justice Division contrive to leak a story that'll flush out information. Unfortunately they pick on the one news gal with a moral backbone lurking behind the all-business façade. Sally Field is superb at controlling the contradictions within Megan, and is perfect next to the resolutely calm Gallagher (an Oscar-nominated Paul Newman). His bogus investigation is sure to backfire, and once the two get together it does so in the most satisfying of ways. Shot in gloriously sunny Miami locations, the film has a constant atmosphere of realism. When it's time to point the finger of blame, the film is given over to the starriest of cameos from Wilfred Brimley as the straight-talking Assistant Attorney General. His differentiation between truth and accuracy ought to be required learning for all journalists. On the DVD: The sound may be mono, but the picture is crisp enough. A minute-long deleted scene expanding Gallagher's business crisis is in poor condition however and doesn't add much. Neither does the theatrical trailer or three mini Filmographies of director Sidney Pollack, Newman and Field. The real extra treat is a 30-minute documentary, which features new interviews with Pollack, writer Kurt Luedtke, Newman and Field. Everyone has fond memories of making the film, even Field despite her bruises after the rough-and-tumble scene with the usually genteel Newman. --Paul Tonks

• Birdy (Limited Edition) | Blu Ray | (28/10/2019) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  Based on the acclaimed, ˜unfilmable' novel by William Wharton, about a boy who dreams of flying, Alan Parker's elliptical, ethereal film is just as vividly poetic as its source. Birdy is story of two unlikely boyhood friends, the confident and popular Al (Nicolas Cage Wild at Heart, Leaving Las Vegas) and Birdy (Matthew Modine Full Metal Jacket, Stranger Things), awkward, withdrawn, and obsessed with birds. The advent of the war in Vietnam shatters their youth, and they both return irrevocably changed one physically traumatised, the other emotionally fractured. This unique and affecting film from director Alan Parker (Midnight Express, Angel Heart), features skilful, highly committed central performances from young stars Modine and Cage (who allegedly had teeth removed for his gruelling role), and a wonderful score by Peter Gabriel. Birdy is a great unsung gem of 1980s cinema, and is presented here in a brand-new, director-approved 2K restoration. Extras: New 2K remaster supervised and approved by director Alan Parker Original stereo audio New and exclusive audio commentary with director Alan Parker and the BFI's Justin Johnson Learning to Fly (2019): new and exclusive interview with screenwriters Jack Behr and Sandy Kroopf Keith Gordon on William Wharton (2019): the actor and filmmaker shares his experiences of adapting Wharton for the screen No Hard Feelings (1974): Alan Parker's early film is an unsentimental view of wartime London through the eyes of a troubled young man Original theatrical trailer Image gallery: on-set and promotional photography New and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing Limited edition exclusive booklet with a new essay by Frank Collins, an overview of contemporary critical responses, archival articles, and film credits Limited Edition of 5,000 copies All extras subject to change

• Amityville 3 | DVD | (16/10/2000) from £8.97   |  Saving you £0.01 (0.17%)   |  RRP £5.99

  The story highlights an investigation which unleashes the evil in the basement of the world's most haunted house. A magazine writer's investigation into a s''ance turns to horror when an abandoned well beneath the basement floor turns out to be the gateway to Hell.

• Nature Boy | DVD | (25/04/2016) from £15.99   |  Saving you £9.00 (56.29%)   |  RRP £24.99

  Lee Ingleby gives a performance of thoughtful intensity as David, the titular Nature Boy in this BBC drama which combines a personal quest for an absent father with contemporary environmental themes. The first episode finds 17-year-old David in care, illustrating his love of animals and the peace he finds at a nearby wildlife reserve. Following shocking violence, and haunted by visions (recalling the strongly environmental Edge of Darkness) of his father (Paul McGann), David goes on a modern-day odyssey throughout which, like Tom Jones before him, women find his naïve innocent charm irresistible. David though, falls for environmental activist Jenny (Joanne Froggatt) and becomes involved with industrial pollution and the battle to save an ancient woodland. After the excellence of the first three episodes, the finale moves into not entirely convincing science fiction territory, and offers a resolution which raises as many questions as it answers. Nevertheless Nature Boy is an atmospheric, moving rite of passage, with something of the feel of Kes to it, which avoids simple-minded polemics, and packs a raw edge (and language) that some will find shocking. --Gary S Dalkin

• Birdy | DVD | (17/04/2000) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Based on William Wharton's transcendent novel of the same name, this film is about many things: friendship, war, and, of course, birds. The framing device is an effort by a horribly scarred combat soldier (Nicolas Cage) to break through to his best friend, Birdy (Matthew Modine), hospitalised after seemingly being driven mad by fighting in the Vietnam War. Cage then flashes back to their boyhood, where Birdy, a canary aficionado, was considered the school weirdo but managed to be a solid companion none the less. Directed by Alan Parker, it works best as a coming-of-age story, but misses the bizarre psychological transferences of the book, in which Birdy imagines himself within the world of canaries he creates in his bedroom at his parents' house. Modine is fine as an out-of-it misfit enraptured by his own little universe. --Marshall Fine

• Callie And Son | DVD | (02/08/2004) from £4.98   |  Saving you £-0.99 (N/A%)   |  RRP £3.99

  Lindsay Wagner stars as Callie who battles her way up the ladder from waitress to fabulously wealthy Texas socialite. The price for her success is her son Randy played by Jameson Parker. Through weilding great power Callie is nearly powerless in her efforts to keep Randy away from beautiful young schemer Michelle Pfeiffer. The film's many intrigues result in a sensational murder trail.

• Good Against Evil | DVD | (29/11/2004) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £5.99

  The life of an ordinary young man is turned into stark horror when his sexy teen wife is beset by the devil. Against the odds he battles to bring her back from the dark realm of sexual depravity but with every passing moment he realises that the forces of evil are too much for her to resist... And she has become the devil's play thing!