This new Disney animated feature is set in a mythical South American land and tells of an arrogant emperor who learns a valuable lesson about life when an evil sorceress plots to take over his empire.
Yesyears is a generous (over two-hour) documentary that profiles Yes through the years, from the band's earliest days up to and including 1991, the year when no fewer than eight past and current members played together on their "Union" tour. The story is told through separate interviews with the band circa 1991, talking happily about their many successes and even greater excesses; their musical freedoms and their personal fallings-out. The talking heads are interspersed with a lot of fascinating archive footage from all phases of the band's evolution--just some random examples: a youthful Steve Howe playing "The Clap"; "Yours is No Disgrace" from a live German TV appearance in 1971; Chris Squire performing "Hold Out Your Hand" from his first solo album; studio footage from the Going for the One and Tormato sessions; and lots of evocative footage from the Spinal Tap-esque live shows of the 70s. Inevitably, it being an officially endorsed document, there's little negative criticism here, though Rick Wakeman is typically candid about his decisions for originally leaving the band. Documentation of all the various musical excerpts would have been nice--they come and go without any context--but generally this makes rewarding viewing for any Yes fan, with the caveat of course that the story stops in 1991. On the DVD: Yesyears is disappointingly presented in 4:3 ratio NTSC format, leaving the picture generally fuzzy and at times positively obscure in places, with plain stereo sound (at best--many of the early musical excerpts are mono). The chapter divisions are extremely generous, but there are no bonus features as such. --Mark Walker
If man's best friend is a dog get ready to meet man's funniest friend: he's 4lbs of sheer delight and one of the best scene stealers to ever upstage an actor! Rascal tells a story of a boy (Bill Mumy) and his rescued pet raccoon an animal whose talent for causing loads of mischief is equalled only by his power to trigger tons of laughter!
In some ways The Old Grey Whistle Test Volume 2 is more interesting than its predecessor, as it covers the show's enjoyably uncomfortable period of transition from beard-rock to punk/new wave. Hence, the music ranges across the likes of Loggins and Messina (the frightful "The House at Pooh Corner"), the Who, Judee Sill, Argent (doing "God Gave Rock 'n' Roll to You", which all Bill and Ted fans probably think is a Kiss original), Roy Harper, the Adverts, the Undertones (not playing "Teenage Kicks", sadly), Patti Smith and Siouxie and the Banshees. There's also some arty stuff that doesn't really fit into either camp, including Kevin Ayers and Roxy Music at their uncommercially weirdest. There are a few nicely revelatory moments, too, such as the realisation that Thomas Dolby's "Hyperactive" was in fact a nu-jazz masterpiece born 20 years too soon and that Robbie Williams should cover Aztec Camera's wonderful "Walk Out to Winter" immediately. This is an enjoyable and diverse collection of music from a fairly fraught period in the history of more-or-less popular music, so it's good to be reminded just how much good stuff was actually happening amidst the melée. On the DVD: The Old Grey Whistle Test 2 comes on only one disc (the first was a two-disc set), but you still get 30 or so excellent tracks plus all the trimmings, so that's hardly a fault. The layout features the same kind of horribly overdesigned menus as its predecessor: there's no obvious chapter sub-menu, believe it or not; instead, you have to access individual tracks through the artists' gallery in the extras section! Aargh! Other extras include contributor profiles, additional linking material and the wonderful Old Grey Squirrel Test animation, which mere words would only spoil for those who have yet to see it. --Roger Thomas
A group of friends find their leisurely Mexican holiday takes a turn for the worse when they, along with a fellow tourist, embark on a remote archaeological dig in the jungle, where something evil lives among the ruins.
Joe 90 was Gerry Anderson's penultimate puppet show of the 1960s, following Captain Scarlet (1968) and preceding the little-known The Secret Service (1969). In 2112 professor Ian McClaine has invented the BIG RAT (Brain Impulse Galvanoscope, Record And Transfer), a machine for copying knowledge and experiences from person to person. WIN (World Intelligence Organisation) uses this to prime their top undercover agent before sending him into the field on missions which range from foiling international terrorists to recovering a nuclear weapon from beneath the polar ice. So far so good, but in perhaps the most mind-boggling concept ever to reach children's TV, that agent is McClaine's nine-year-old adopted son, Joe. Somehow even as it stays true to the Gerry Anderson techno-fantasy formula of secret organisations, gadgetry, and action-packed adventure full of spectacular explosions and violent death, Joe 90 remains blithely unconscious of its own implications. The missions are as globe-trotting as anything in Anderson's classic Thunderbirds series, and sometimes Joe does save lives, performing a risky brain operation or rescuing trapped astronauts. Yet even then his criminally irresponsible father brainwashes the lad each episode before placing him in a highly dangerous adult situation. Though the production values remain way ahead of anything else being done on British TV at the time, the question remains how did this ever seem like a good idea? On the DVD: Joe 90, Volume 1 contains the first six 25-minute episodes presented, as usual with Gerry Anderson DVDs, behind a lovingly crafted menu. As expected the 4:3 picture quality is superb and the mono sound is full, detailed and without a trace of distortion. There are also several pages of character biography and background information on the show, a photo gallery and a variety of other extras. --Gary S Dalkin
A second volume of nasties that were at one time banned in the UK. Even more depraved and even more corrupt! Tenebrae (Dir. Dario Argento 1982): Shortly after American mystery-thriller novelist Peter Neal (Anthony Franciosa) arrives in Rome to promote his new book (the Tenebrae of the title) an attractive young woman is murdered by a razor-wielding maniac who stuffs pages of Neal's latest novel into the mouth of his victim before slashing her throat. So begins a biza
Yes: The Director's Cut is narrated by The Who's Roger Daltrey from footage of the 2003 world tour that didn't make into the original edit. Recorded live during the 35th Anniversary World Tour this is the 'wonderous' songs and the 'wonderous' stories of YES featuring behind the scenes footage and previously unreleased live performances at the N.I.A Birmingham and The Glastonbury Festival.
From the director of "Airplane" comes the third instalment in the scary spoof franchise.
Set a few years after the original film "Warriors of Virtue," the sequel finds Ryan and his best friend Chucky arrive at a martial arts competition in Beijing and thrust into the parallel land of Tao to do battle as the next Warriors of Virtue!
When the totalitarian planet of Mongo decides on a whim to obliterate Earth, it's up to the quarterback Flash Gordon and his oddball companions to make the universe safe for democracy. Based on the classic (and infinitely more reputable) comic strip and its 1930s screen serialisation, this candy-coloured trash classic deserves immortality for Queen's unforgettably pulsating soundtrack alone. The legendary Max von Sydow appears to be having a blast as the evil Ming the Merciless, while Ornella Muti, as his daughter, is the living embodiment of what attracts adolescent boys to comics in the first place. (She makes Barbarella look mundane.) One of the most shamelessly entertaining movies ever made, this is a knowingly absurd sensory freak-out that'll have the viewer blissfully checking the sky afterward for signs of Hawkmen. --Andrew Wright
Joe McClaine is a seemingly ordinary 9 year old boy. However his father has developed a marvellous method of transferring special brain patterns into his son's mind that allows Joe to acquire incredible skills. Soon Joe becomes an agent for the World Intelligence Network and uses his extraordinary enhancements to serve justice around the world... Another stunning Supermarionation series from the Gerry Anderson team that brought you 'Thunderbirds' 'Captain Scarlet' and 'Stingray'.
Joe 90 was Gerry Anderson's penultimate puppet show of the 1960s, following Captain Scarlet (1968) and preceding the little-known The Secret Service (1969). In 2112 professor Ian McClaine has invented the BIG RAT (Brain Impulse Galvanoscope, Record and Transfer), a machine for copying knowledge and experiences from person to person. WIN (World Intelligence Organisation) uses this to prime their top undercover agent before sending him into the field on missions which range from foiling international terrorists to recovering a nuclear weapon from beneath the polar ice. So far so good, but in perhaps the most mind-boggling concept ever to reach children's TV, that agent is McClaine's nine-year-old adopted son, Joe. Somehow even as it stays true to the Gerry Anderson techno-fantasy formula of secret organisations, gadgetry, and action-packed adventure full of spectacular explosions and violent death, Joe 90 remains blithely unconscious of its own implications. The missions are as globe-trotting as anything in Anderson's classic Thunderbirds series, and sometimes Joe does save lives, performing a risky brain operation or rescuing trapped astronauts. Yet even then his criminally irresponsible father brainwashes the lad each episode before placing him in a highly dangerous adult situation. Though the production values remain way ahead of anything else being done on British TV at the time, the question remains how did this ever seem like a good idea? On the DVD: Joe 90, Volume 2 contains the second set of six 25-minute episodes presented, as usual with Gerry Anderson DVDs, behind a lovingly crafted menu. As expected the 4:3 picture quality is superb and the mono sound is full, detailed and without a trace of distortion. There are also several pages of character biography and background information on the show, a photo gallery and a variety of other extras. --Gary S Dalkin
A man with a screenplay to sell sets out to find a backer. Unfortunately all those he approaches with money and influence insist that the screenplay be 'sexed up' and made more violent...
This terrifying box set features three teen-fronted scary movies... The Wisher: 'The Wisher' is a number one box office hit but it is far too scary for Mary and she leaves the cinema before the end. But soon the fictional story becomes an evil reality as Mary finds a mysterious creature is stalking her. The creature looks and acts just like in the film and Mary believes it is granting her a wish in a twisted way but now she must work out what it wants from her before it is too late... Devil's Prey: It's the middle of the night and a group of teenagers are driving home from a party when they accidentally run into a young woman. Little do they know that this is the least of their worries as she is on the run from a posse of dangerous cult members who are out to catch her for a sacrifice. The Shadows as the cult members are known now have five more targets in their sights as the teens find themselves running for their lives to the nearest outpost of civilization. The Pool: School's out exams are over and it's time for real life to begin. But before 13 friends from the International High School in Prague disappear to the four corners of the earth they intend to throw the best party of their lives. The idea to stage the party in Prague's biggest swimming pool is illegal but cool. And when Gregor the laid back leader of the group thinks an idea is good then no one else from the group objects. But what begins as a night of all nights quickly turns into a life and death struggle as the friends come to realise that death itself is on the guest list. A mysterious masked killer starts a hunt throughout the building. As the kids panic it beings to dawn on them that the killer must be one of their own...
Jon Anderson Live in performance.
Stargate: It has been buried for thousands of years. A mystery. A secret. A threshold. Stargate. One man will break its code and open the door the other will lead the way. They prepared for danger they expected the unknown but they could never have imagined what they would discover. Now they must find the key to return home or remain trapped on the other side of the known universe forever. The most amazing discovery of our time is about to become the most extraordinary adventure of all time. Deep Star Six: Not All Aliens Come From Space. Save Your Last Breath...To Scream. Far below the surface of the unforgiving sea the daring crew of DeepStar Six are explorers in a forbidding world of impenetrable darkness and unimaginable pressure. They have invaded the icy fathoms into which no human has ever ventured. Their mission is to establish a top secret Navy base on the ocean floor. But something's down there and the crew of DeepStar Six are about to make a startling discovery - there's no escape from the terror of the deep. Director Sean Cunningham has created a new horror that will plunge you into the depths of fear. Better hold your last breath...to scream! Flash Gordon: Ming the Merciless Emperor of planet Mongo has begun his plan of destruction for planet Earth. Zarkov a mad scientist detects the signs of an intergalactic assault and forces Flash Gordon star football player and the beautiful Dale Arden to board his rocket and save the human race from the evil Emperor. Can Flash save the universe?
Anderson Bruford Wakeman and Howe was made up of four fifths of the Classic Yes line up of the seventies. Put together by Jon Anderson who wanted to get back to the musical ideals made popular by Yes during the bands massively successful albums of the early to mid seventies. The band recorded one self titled album released in 1989 and then embarked on an extensive and hugely successful worldwide tour. In The Big dream was filmed during the creative and recording process for the first and so far only studio album from Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe. The self titled album was recorded in amongst other locations Montserrat in 1988 and 1989. The film captures the recording process of the band and also features interviews with the members of the band on how the project originally came together. This DVD was previously available as part of the limited edition package of the Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe DVD An Evening Of Yes Music Plus but is now available to buy as a stand alone release. Tracklisting: 1. Brother of Mine 2. Order of the Universe 3. Quartet (I'm Alive) 4. Heart of the Sunrise
Joe McClaine is a seemingly ordinary 9 year old boy. However his father has developed a marvellous method of transferring special brain patterns into his son's mind that allows Joe to acquire incredible skills. Soon Joe becomes an agent for the World Intelligence Network and uses his extraordinary enhancements to serve justice around the world... Another stunning Supermarionation series from the Gerry Anderson team that brought you 'Thunderbirds' 'Captain Scarlet' and 'Stingray'
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