"Actor: John S"

• Gladiator -- Superbit | DVD | (12/05/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £12.99

  A big-budget summer epic with money to burn and a scale worthy of its golden Hollywood predecessors, Ridley Scott's Gladiator is a rousing, grisly, action-packed epic that takes movie-making back to the Roman Empire via computer-generated visual effects. While not as fluid as the computer work done for, say, Titanic, it's an impressive achievement that will leave you marvelling at the glory that was Rome, when you're not marvelling at the glory that is Russell Crowe. Starring as the heroic general Maximus, Crowe firmly cements his star status both in terms of screen presence and acting chops, carrying the film on his decidedly non-computer-generated shoulders as he goes from brave general to wounded fugitive to stoic slave to gladiator hero. Gladiator's plot is a whirlwind of faux-Shakespearean machinations of death, betrayal, power plays, and secret identities (with lots of faux-Shakespearean dialogue ladled on to keep the proceedings appropriately "classical"), but it's all briskly shot, edited, and paced with a contemporary sensibility. Even the action scenes, somewhat muted but graphic in terms of implied violence and liberal bloodletting, are shot with a veracity that brings to mind--believe it or not--Saving Private Ryan. As Crowe's nemesis, the evil emperor Commodus, Joaquin Phoenix chews scenery with authority, whether he's damning Maximus's popularity with the Roman mobs or lusting after his sister Lucilla (beautiful but distant Connie Nielsen); Oliver Reed, in his last role, hits the perfect notes of camp and gravitas as the slave owner who rescues Maximus from death and turns him into a Colosseum star. Director Scott's visual flair is abundantly in evidence, with breathtaking shots and beautiful (albeit digital) landscapes, but it's Crowe's star power that will keep you in thrall--he's a true gladiator, worthy of his legendary status. Hail the conquering hero! --Mark Englehart, Amazon.com

• Two Minute Warning (Dual Format) | Blu Ray | (05/06/2017) from £18.75   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  A psychotic sniper plans a massive killing spree at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum football stadium during a major championship game. The police, led by Captain Peter Holly (Charlton Heston Planet of the Apes) and SWAT commander Sergeant Button (John Cassavetes Rosemary s Baby), learn of the plot and rush to the scene. Still, they may be too late, as an all-star cast finds itself lined up in the sights of a madman. The gunman has his pick of the targets, the Mayor, the President or merely the innocent? Either way he has to be stopped before all hell breaks loose.

• British War DVD Collection | DVD | (27/05/2002) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £15.99

  The four films presented in The British War Collection unapologetically embody the dogged spirit and pluck of an embattled nation during its greatest crisis; that they also represent the zenith of post-war British cinema is a testament to both their quality and veracity. First in chronological order is The Cruel Sea (1953), a rivetingly faithful adaptation of Nicholas Monsarrat's gripping novel (itself semi-autobiographical) in which Jack Hawkins is the epitome of determined professionalism in the face of ever-present disaster. Moving from sea to air, The Dam Busters (1954) uses the same documentary-style approach to storytelling, though combined here with the more overt patriotic appeal of Eric Coates' famous march theme. A similar never-say-die spirit pervades both The Colditz Story (1955)--an authentic retelling of PR Reid's narrative--and Ice Cold in Alex (1958). Coincidentally or not, both films star the always indomitable John Mills. In Colditz, Mills heads a distinguished ensemble of British thespians as they attempt to escape from the infamous fortress, while in Alex he and his marvellously tight-knit cast journey painstakingly towards what is probably the most famous glass of lager in the world. On the DVDs: The British War Collection comes in a neat fold-out package with postcard-style cards for each movie. All four discs are presented in their original aspect ratios (Cruel Sea and Dam Busters, 1.33:1; Alex and Colditz, 1.66:1). The black and white prints are in pretty good condition, and are accompanied by reasonably clean mono soundtracks. Other than the original theatrical trailers there are no extras. --Mark Walker

• Toys | DVD | (21/11/2005) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

  Enter a spectacular world of whimsy fun and fantasy in this acclaimed visual extravaganza. Leslie Zevo is a fun-loving adult who must save his late father's toy factory from his evil uncle a war-loving general who builds weapons disguised as toys. Aided by his sister and girlfriend Leslie sets out to thwart his uncle and restore joy and innocence to their special world.

• Lois And Clarke - Season 1 | DVD | (06/02/2006) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £40.99

  Casting a fresh look on a timeless legend this exciting action-packed update of the DC Comics Superman captures the daring exploits of the mysterious visitor from another planet and brings the city of Metropolis to life. Originally airing on TV in the 1990s this humorously romantic action/adventure series puts a modern twist on the time-honored legendary superhero bringing to life the comic book characters Clark Kent (Dean Cain) his superhuman alter-ego Superman and Lois Lane (

• South Pacific / Oklahoma / Carousel | DVD | (19/09/2005) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  South Pacific: Blessed with a treasure of timeless songs South Pacific combines the passionate heartwarming romance of a naive young Navy nurse (Mitzi Gaynor) and an older French plantation owner (Rossano Brazzi) with South Seas splendour and a world at war while the breathtaking score is highlighted by some of the most romantic songs ever written. Oklahoma!: Rodgers and Hammerstein's charming and vigorous tale of romance and adventure set in the Wild West. Songs include 'People Will Say We're In Love' 'Oh What A Beautiful Morning' and the title song 'Oklahoma!' Carousel: Gordon MacRae and Shirley Jones are reunited in this second classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. In this bittersweet love story Billy Bigelow (MacRae) a smooth-taking carny barker falls in love with a milworker (Jones) in a little town on the coast of Maine. Although Billy is killed during a robbery before the birth of his daughter years later he is allowed to return to earth for one day to redeem himself - and to teach his daughter one very important lesson. This the most poetic and lyrical of all the Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals features the classics If I Loved You and You'll Never Walk Alone.

• Midsomer Murders : The Christmas Collection | DVD | (15/09/2008) from £19.95   |  Saving you £5.04 (25.26%)   |  RRP £24.99

  Nothing is as it seems behind the well-trimmed hedges of the picturesque cottages in the idyllic English county of Midsomer. Beneath the tranquil surface of sleepy village life exist dark secrets scandals and downright evil. John Nettles stars as the humorous thoughtful and methodical Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby. This Christmas Collection includes four fantastic episodes! Ghosts Of Christmas Past: It is Christmas in Midsomer. A shot rings out from Draycott House. Nine years later the whole Villiers family come together again. At the police station DCI Barnaby heads home and asks Sgt Scott to contact him if anything happens warning him that: 'Things have a habit of happening around Christmas time.' Death Of A Stranger: Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby and Sergeant Troy investigate a murder. DCI Barnaby returns from a winter holiday to discover an unidentified tramp has been beaten to death in the woods near the village of Marshwood. While he was away Supt Ronald Pringle just before his retirement quickly arrested a local young man. But Barnaby suspects that he is innocent which is only reinforced when there is an apparent suicide at the same spot. A Talent For Life: In Malham Bridge former socialite and feisty pensioner Isobel Hewitt is accused of assault by fellow fly fisher Margaret Seagrove. When Barnaby and Troy investigate the allegations they discover that all is not well on the Midsomer riverbanks. The investigation takes a more serious turn when two bodies are discovered in the river. Are they the victims of an uncalculated attack by poachers or was there a more sinister motive? Shot At Dawn: The Court Marshall and execution of Tommy Hicks for desertion during World War I ignites a feud between the Hammonds and the Hicks which lasts for 90 years. Duggie Hammond always felt guilty about his forced involvement in Tommy's unjust death. During a ceremony at the village war memorial Tommy's son Lionel unveils a plaque for his father. Colonel Henry Hammond who supported the execution finds the ceremony farcical and lets his feelings be known. When Henry is later executed Barnaby and Jones investigate.

• Cliffhanger | DVD | (02/04/2001) from £6.44   |  Saving you £13.55 (210.40%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Cliffhanger was a 1994 comeback of sorts for action hero Sylvester Stallone, this time thanks to director Renny Harlin (Die Hard 2) and some spectacularly rugged and vertigo-inducing, high-mountain terrain. The opening sequence alone delivers what the title promises, and there's an extraordinary airplane stunt that was later reprised, with modifications, in Air Force One. Stallone, looking as tough and craggy as the mountains themselves, is a rescue climber who finds himself going after a gang of crooks (headed by John Lithgow in his bad-guy mode) who've hijacked a US Treasury plane and crash landed in the Rockies with millions of bucks. Outrageous action-packed, snow-packed and scenery-packed chase sequences (featuring whirring helicopters, whooshing skis, popping gunfire and clanging pitons that earned the movie Oscar nominations for sound and sound editing) abound. --Jim Emerson, Amazon.com

• Bad Boys / Bad Boys 2 | DVD | (23/02/2004) from £3.69   |  Saving you £26.30 (712.74%)   |  RRP £29.99

  Bad Boys: When $100 million of seized heroin is stolen from the Miami Police lockup Detectives Lowrey (Will Smith) and Burnett (Martin Lawrence) Miami's most mismatched cops are called upon to solve the case before the FBI close their department. Julie (Tea Leoni) is their only lead to the case but will only speak to Lowrey. As he is not around when she calls Burnett impersonates his cool slick partner. A hilarious role reversal begins in order to retain her trust. From t

• Fawlty Towers: Series 1 and 2 | DVD | (19/11/2001) from £30.52   |  Saving you £-0.53 (N/A%)   |  RRP £29.99

  Often hailed as the greatest ever British sitcom, Fawlty Towers is closer to the more elaborate tradition of farce. Comprising two series made in 1975 and 1979, the total of just 12 episodes were painstakingly constructed by writers John Cleese and Connie Booth. Unlike most British farce, however, Fawlty Towers deals with the big themes--death, psychology, xenophobia and even sex-o-phobia (Basil's marriage to Sybil is the most sterile ever depicted in a sitcom). Basil's contempt for his guests is, of course, legendary. It takes little from patrons to unleash his sledgehammer sarcasm: "Rosewood, mahogany, teak? Sorry, I was wondering what you'd like your breakfast tray made out of", he sneers at a guest who dares to request breakfast in bed. Like every Englishman, he wants to be king of his own castle and resents having to take in lodgers to maintain the place, especially the open-necked younger generation, whom he regards as sub-human. Mostly, though, Fawlty Towers is comedy of exasperation--who can forget the "damn good thrashing" Basil gives his clapped-out car, or the nervous breakdowns he almost suffers trying to make himself understood to Manuel? It's also comedy of embarrassment. The very fear of losing his dignity generally leads Basil into the most spectacularly undignified of predicaments. His inevitable misery is our sheer delight. -- David Stubbs On the DVD: each six-episode season is given its own disc with a commentary track from John Howard Davies and Bob Spiers, directors of Season 1 and Season 2 respectively. The third disc has all the additional material, the best of which are new interviews with John Cleese, Andrew Sachs and Prunella Scales. Also included are text biographies of all the leads and the guest stars, a short background featurette on Torquay and the hotel owner who is said to have inspired Basil, a very short blooper reel of outtakes and a brief teaser with Cleese in character entitled "Cheap Tatty Review". Much of this extra material was comfortably fitted onto the individually available Season 1 and 2 discs, so it's a bit of a mystery why a third disc was deemed necessary for the box set. --Mark Walker

• Quatermass Blu-Ray | Blu Ray | (01/07/2024) from £28.99   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

• Midsomer Murders - Talking To The Dead | DVD | (07/06/2010) from £6.14   |  Saving you £10.85 (176.71%)   |  RRP £16.99

  Midsomer Murders

• Nightmare on Elm Street | Blu Ray | (27/09/2010) from £9.98   |  Saving you £10.00 (125.16%)   |  RRP £17.99

  From modern horror master Wes Craven comes a timeless shocker that remains the standard bearer for terror. Nancy (Heather Langenkamp) is having grisly nightmares. Meanwhile her high-school friends who are having the very same dreams are being slaughtered in their sleep by the hideous fiend of their shared nightmares. When the police ignore her explanation she herself must confront the killer in his shadowy realm. Featuring John Saxon with Johnny Depp in his first starring role and mind-bending special effects this horror classic gave birth to one of the most infamous undead villains in cinematic history: Freddy Krueger...

• Zardoz | DVD | (30/06/2003) from £29.52   |  Saving you £-23.53 (N/A%)   |  RRP £5.99

  A box office failure at the time, John Boorman's 1974 cult science fiction film Zardoz is an entrancing if overly ambitious project that offers pointed commentary on class structure and religion inside its complex plot and head-movie visuals. Its healthy doses of sex and violence will involve viewers even if the story machinations escape them. Beautifully photographed near Boorman's home in Ireland's Wicklow Mountains by Geoffrey Unsworth (2001), its production design is courtesy of longtime Boorman associate Anthony Pratt, who creates a believable society within the film's million-dollar budget. A bewigged Sean Connery is Zed, a savage "exterminator" commanded by the mysterious god Zardoz to eliminate Brutals, survivors of an unspecified worldwide catastrophe. Zed stows away inside Zardoz's enormous idol (a flying stone head) and is taken to the pastoral land of the Eternals, a matriarchal, quasi-medieval society that has achieved psychic abilities as well as immortality. Zed finds as much hope as disgust with the Eternals; their advancements have also robbed them of physical passion, turning their existence into a living death. Zed becomes the Eternals' unlikely messiah, but in order to save them--and himself--he must confront the truth behind Zardoz and his own identity inside the Tabernacle, the Eternals' omnipresent master computer. --Paul Gaita

• Cheech And Chong - Get Out Of My Room | DVD | (05/06/2006) from £4.98   |  Saving you £1.01 (20.28%)   |  RRP £5.99

  A mock documentary filmed mostly in and around LA with interviews of Cheech and Chong interspersed between four videos of songs from their last album. Songs include: 'Get outta my room' and 'Born in East LA'.

• Mutant X - Season 2 - Vol. 3 | DVD | (23/05/2005) from £10.27   |  Saving you £12.71 (174.59%)   |  RRP £19.99

  'The X-Men'-like half human/half mutants are back for a second series of tongue-in-cheek adventures as they battle to protect their race against the shadowy forces of evil. The Grift:Brennan's ex-girlfriend enlists his help when a scheme to blackmail a prominent politician turns nasty. Within These Walls:When a dangerous mutant prisoner escapes an armoured convoy it sets in progress a deadly chase leading to a mysterious assassin - the prisoner's next target. At D

• Helen Of Troy | DVD | (17/05/2004) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £15.99

  The abduction of beautiful Helen wife of Spartan King Menelaus by Paris of Troy triggers a long war faithfully recreated in this lavish TV miniseries.

• Eugene Onegin: Metropolitan Opera (Gergiev) | Blu Ray | (24/02/2014) from £18.89   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

• In The Line Of Duty | DVD | (20/08/2001) from £17.20   |  Saving you £2.79 (16.22%)   |  RRP £19.99

  From the acclaimed action director of 'The Matrix' and 'Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon' and starring Donnie Yen from 'Iron Monkey' and 'Highlander:Endgame' a high-energy tribute to Harrison Ford's 'Witness. 'In The Line Of Duty' is one of the most accomplished action-adventures to come out of Hong Kong and was a massive hit with audiences all over the world.

• Shrek - 20th Anniversary Edition 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital | Blu Ray | (11/05/2021) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A