It seemed like a pretty good career move, and for the most part it was. Demi Moore will never top any rational list of great actresses, but as her career stalled in the mid-1990s she had enough internal fire and external physicality to be just right for her title role in G.I. Jane. Her character's name isn't Jane--it's Jordan O'Neil--but the fact that she lacks a penis makes her an immediate standout in her elite training squad of Navy SEALs. She's been recruited as the first female SEAL trainee through a series of backroom political manoeuvres and must prove her military staying power against formidable odds--not the least of which is the abuse of a tyrannical master chief (Viggo Mortensen) who puts her through hell to improve her chances of success. Within the limitations of a glossy star vehicle, director Ridley Scott manages to incorporate the women-in-military issue with considerable impact, and Moore--along with her conspicuous breast enhancements and that memorable head-shaving scene--jumps into the role with everything she's got. Not a great movie by any means, but definitely a rousing crowd pleaser and it's worth watching just to hear Demi shout the words "Suck my ----!!" (rhymes with "chick"). --Jeff Shannon, Amazon.com
Splash was big news in 1984. It was the sole reason for a renewed Disney Studios forming its Touchstone Pictures subsidiary. This was so they could get away with displaying Daryl Hannah's nude bottom! It was also big news for launching the film career of Tom Hanks, who immediately became a massive box-office comedy draw in the 80s. For Ron Howard, it was the breakaway success that guaranteed he'd be able to pursue as diverse a directorial career path as he wanted to. It's a simple romance tale, spiced up by making the female lead a mermaid. The stroke of brilliance in the script was in making the comedy happen around the two leads, while letting them believably convey they are hopelessly lost in love. The comedy comes from the ever-reliable John Candy as a larger-than-life womanising older brother, and Eugene Levy as a scatty scientist. Although New York looks a little different today, the movie has hardly aged at all. Which is just as well since it boldly begins "This morning." On the DVD: Splash offers a transfer that has some defects, but colours and dark areas seem just about right. We're spoiled for extras, with a warmly nostalgic Howard joining a key production crew commentary in reminiscing on how much fun they had making the movie. There's a half-hour documentary ("Making a Splash") interviewing everyone involved, including some archival footage of the late Candy. Best of all are the original Audition Tapes for Hanks and Hannah, which reveal the consummate professionals these once-hungry stars really are. --Paul Tonks
In keeping with Hollywood's time-honored tradition of turning celebrated novels into cinematic spectacles director John Madden brings Louis de Berniere's acclaimed 1994 work 'Captain Corelli's Mandolin' to life. Set on the Greek island of Cephalonia in 1940 the film tells the story of the beautiful Pelagia (Penelope Cruz) who lives with her father Dr. Iannis (John Hurt) and is engaged to local fisherman Mandras (Christian Bale). When Mandras leaves the island to fight for his country against the approaching German army Pelagia is left behind to worry and wait for a letter which never arrives. In the meantime the Italian army occupies Cephalonia and Pelagia and Dr. Iannis receive a new visitor into their home. Captain Antonio Corelli (Nicolas Cage) a romantic opera lover with a passion for playing the mandolin annoys Pelagia with his free-spirited personality but it is this charm that eventually wins her heart. Soon the two are head-over-heels in love only for Mandras to return...
There is greatness in film that can be discussed, dissected, and talked about late into the night. Then there is genius that is right in front of our faces--you smile at the spell it puts you into and are refreshed, and not a word needs to be spoken. This kind of entertainment is what they used to call "movie magic" and there is loads of it in this irresistible computer animation feature. Just a picture of these bright toys on the cover of Toy Story looks intriguing as it reawakens the kid in us. Filmmaker John Lasseter's shorts (namely Knickknack and Tin Toy, which can be found on the Pixar video Tiny Toy Stories) illustrate not only a technical brilliance but also a great sense of humour--one in which the pun is always intended. Lasseter thinks of himself as a storyteller first and an animator second, much like another film innovator, Walt Disney. Lasseter's story is universal and magical: what do toys do when they're not played with? Cowboy Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks), Andy's favourite bedroom toy, tries to calm the other toys (some original, some classic) during a wrenching time of year--the birthday party, when newer toys may replace them. Sure enough, Space Ranger Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) is the new toy that takes over the throne. Buzz has a crucial flaw, though--he believes he's the real Buzz Lightyear, not a toy. Bright and cheerful, Toy Story is much more than a 90-minute commercial for the inevitable bonanza of Woody and Buzz toys. Lasseter further scores with perfect voice casting, including Don Rickles as Mr. Potato Head and Wallace Shawn as a meek dinosaur. The director-animator won a special Oscar "For the development and inspired application of techniques that have made possible the first feature-length computer-animated film." In other words, the movie is great. --Doug Thomas
An NFL quarterback living the bachelor lifestyle discovers that he has a 7-year-old daughter from a previous relationship. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is about to meet his greatest matchand she's about four feet tall.
A tense conspiracy thriller that twists deeper and deeper into the hostile twilight world where politics meets the press, from Emmy-winning writer Paul Abbot (Cracker) and director David Yates (Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts). Featuring an all-star cast including David Morrissey, John Simm, Bill Nighy, James McAvoy and Kelly Macdonald. Stephen Collins is an ambitious politician. Cal McAffrey is a well-respected investigative journalist and Stephen's ex-campaign manager. En route to work one morning, Stephen's research assistant mysteriously falls to her death on the London Underground. It's not long before rumours of an affair between Stephen and the assistant hit the headlines. Meanwhile a suspected teenage drug dealer is shot dead. Revelation upon revelation pile up in the aftermath of these two seemingly unconnected events, ultimately bringing to light shady dealings between the government and major corporate powers. Friendships are tested and lives are put on the line as an intricate web of lies unfolds.
John Schlesinger's trailblazing Oscar winner, a touchstone of the New American Cinema explosion, in a new 4K restoration. One of the British New Wave's most versatile directors, JOHN SCHLESINGER (Billy Liar) came to New York in the late1960s to make Midnight Cowboy, a picaresque story of friendship that captured a city in crisis and sparked a new era of Hollywood movies. JON VOIGHT (Coming Home) delivers a careermaking performance as Joe Buck, a wideeyed hustler from Texas hoping to score big with wealthy city women; he finds a companion in Enrico Ratso Rizzo, an ailing swindler with a bum leg and a quixotic fantasy of escaping to Florida, played by DUSTIN HOFFMAN in a radical departure from his breakthrough in The Graduate. A critical and commercial success despite controversy over what the MPAA termed its homosexual frame of reference, Midnight Cowboy became the first Xrated film to receive the best picture Oscar, and decades on, its influence still reverberates through cinema. Features: New 4K digital restoration, with an uncompressed monaural soundtrack Alternate 5.1 surround soundtrack, presented in DTSHD Master Audio Audio commentary from 1991 featuring director John Schlesinger and producer Jerome Hellman New selectedscene commentary by cinematographer Adam Holender The Crowd Around the Cowboy, a 1969 short film made on location for Midnight Cowboy ï· Waldo Salt: A Screenwriter's Journey, an Academy Award-nominated documentary from 1990 by Eugene Corr and Robert Hillmann Two short 2004 documentaries on the making and release of Midnight Cowboy Interview with actor Jon Voight on The David Frost Show from 1970 Interview from 2000 with Schlesinger for BAFTA Los Angeles Excerpts from the 2002 BAFTA LA Tribute to Schlesinger, featuring Voight and actor Dustin Hoffman Trailer PLUS: An essay by critic Mark Harris
A performance of Verdi's opera 'Il Trovatore' by the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus; conducted by James Levine. Singers include: Eva Marton Luciano Pavarotti Sherril Milnes and Dolora Zajick; directed by Brian Large.
Includes all the Doctor Who Specials from 2009! Episodes Comprise: The Next Doctor: It's Christmas Eve in 1851 in The Next Doctor and Cybermen stalk the snow of Victorian London. When the Doctor arrives and starts to investigate a spate of mysterious deaths he's surprised to meet another Doctor (David Morrissey) and soon the two must combine forces to defeat the ruthless Miss Hartigan (Dervla Kirwan). But are two Doctors enough to stop the rise of the CyberKing? Planet of the Dead: Starring Michelle Ryan and Lee Evans Planet Of The Dead was the first of this year's specials. When a London bus takes a detour to an alien world the Doctor must join forces with the extraordinary Lady Christina. But the mysterious planet holds terrifying secrets hidden in the sand. And time is running out as the deadly Swarm gets closer... The Waters of Mars: The Waters of Mars welcomes Lindsay Duncan as the Doctor's cleverest and most strong-minded companion. The Waters of Mars is a dark scary thriller that sees the Doctor land on the planet Mars at a base in peril. A creeping infection beneath the Martian surface threatens not only the human race but also the Doctor's most fundamental beliefs. Together with Adelaide Brooke - the base's commander - the Doctor must stop a seemingly unstoppable menace before it can reach Earth and wipe out mankind. The End of Time: Part One: Join the Tenth Doctor for his final journey in The End of Time Parts One and Two when his psychotic nemesis the Master has been reborn on Christmas Eve. With both determined to cheat death the battle ranges from the wastelands of London to the mysterious Immortality Gate while the alien Ood warn of an even greater danger approaching as a terrible shadow falls across the entire Universe. The End of Time: Part Two: The Doctor faces the end of his life as the Master's plans hurtle out of control. With the sound of drums growing louder and an ancient trap closing around the Earth the Doctor and Wilf must fight alone. But sacrifices must be made and the deadly prophecy warns: He will knock four times.
Within the brilliant mind of primatologist Ethan Powell (Academy Award winner Anthony Hopkins) lies an ominous secret
In the hilarious fourth season of New Girl love is funny and elusive as the newly single Jess tries to avoid then hang onto a sexy British teacher with an adorable accent. Schmidt gets schmid-tten with an ambitious councilwoman while Nick wants to find a woman who’s just like him. The gang takes on tasks proven to be pretty difficult: the new cop on the block Winston tries to prove he’s a badass and Coach searches for a woman he hasn’t already dated. Plus Jess’s middle name and the goofy reason for it are revealed! The whole lovable ensemble walks the line between acting mature and slightly nuts. And speaking of nuts will Cece ever admit her feelings for Schmidt?
When Terms of Endearment was released in 1983, director and writer James L Brooks was lauded for his depiction of a complex mother/daughter relationship. For his leading ladies he chose actresses with two of the strongest personalities in Hollywood, but armed with an exceptionally witty script and endless patience he eventually drew magnificent performances from Shirley Maclaine as Aurora and Debra Winger as her daugher Emma, assisted considerably by Jack Nicholson's considerate professionalism. As the philandering retired astronaut who beds Maclaine and then provides her with surprising support in the film's dark later moments, Nicholson shines with comic brilliance which earned him an Oscar. It was no secret that Maclaine and Winger could barely contain a mutual antipathy on set. Yet they strike sparks off each other on screen. When comedy turns to tragedy with the development of Emma's cancer, the laughs continue even while the tear ducts are being given a good work out. In the glory days of Hollywood, this would have been acknowledged a great "women's picture" and its weepy credentials are impeccable. It stands out as a warm, accessible work that admirably rejects sugary sentiment in favour of the realistic rough edges that characterise most human relationships. On the DVD: Presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen with a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack, this DVD is ideal for home cinema viewing. The picture and sound quality are fine, benefiting Michael Gore's gentle, memorable music and bringing the best out of Andrzej Bartkowiak's luminous photography. In addition to the original theatrical trailer, the major extra is the director's commentary in which James L Brooks reminisces with coproducer Penney Finkelman and production designer Polly Platt. They look back at their impressive work with a touching degree of wonder and apprentice directors should take note when Brooks recalls his steep learning curve in managing his leading ladies. --Piers Ford
The Adventures of Mark Twain is an amazing journey of imagination humour and heart and a must for fans of Aardman Studios. The film features a series of vignettes extracted from several of Mark Twain's works built around a plot that features Twain's attempts to keep his appointment with Halley's Comet. Tom Sawyer Becky Thatcher and Huck Finn stow away with Mark Twain on an incredible journey in Twain's airship. The journey introduces the three friends to a variety of the author's characters from; The Diary of Adam and Eve Huckleberry Finn The Mysterious Stranger The Famous Jumping Frog of Caliverous County and Captain Stormfield's Visit to Heaven. The sequence based on The Mysterious Stranger reportedly received over ten million views upon being posted on YouTube. The sequence was allegedly banned from TV due to its disturbing content
The toys celebrate their 10th birthday with this amazing double pack set.
In the brilliantly funny and game-changing third season Jess and Nick go 'all-in' on their romance but soon realise that loving and living together will be tougher than they thought. Schmidt finds himself in double trouble when he dates Cece and Elizabeth at the same time. Unlucky-in-love Winston makes a special connection...too bad it's only with the roommates' new house cat. Meanwhile Coach returns and a Thanksgiving adventure turns the guys into turkeys - plus there's the wildly popular 'Prince' episode featuring a larger-than-life guest star who becomes an unexpected romantic advisor to Jess. Episodes Comprise: All In Nerd Double Date The Captain The Box Keaton The Coach Menus Longest Night Ever Thanksgiving III Clavado En un Bar Basketsball Birthday Prince Exes Sister Sister II Sister III Fired Up Mars Landing Big News Dance Cruise Special Features: The Happy Hook-Up Heartbreak Guide to New Girl Drop That Name Deleted Scenes and Extended Scenes Gag Reel
When Joaquin Phoenix's Baltimore fire fighter gets trapped in the worst blaze of his career, his fellow firemen do all they can to rescue him.
An all-singing, all-dancing version of Jules Verne's classic novel finds eccentric inventor Phileas Fogg set out on a frantic, heart-pounding round-the-world race.
Please wait. Loading...
This site uses cookies.
More details in our privacy policy