One of David Cronenberg's most successful early films, Rabid features porn star Marilyn Chambers as a woman who becomes infected with a virus after an operation. As result she grows a kind of phallus with which she penetrates her victims as she sucks their blood and thus the disease spreads rapidly. The film displays all Cronenberg's usual horrified fascination with the human body and its sexual function. Looking back, it can be read as a kind of parable about AIDS, but it works perfectly well as an effective low-budget shocker. On the DVD: the widescreen image on the DVD is acceptable quality, as is the sound. The fairly routine extras consist of excerpts from a TV interview with Cronenberg, lasting about 10 minutes; a collection of stills from the film; some written notes by horror expert Kim Newman that give useful background, though in part reproduce what is said in the interview; full filmographies for Cronenberg and the three principal performers, including a long list of Chambers' porn credits. --Ed Buscombe
Perhaps the quintessential example of the intimate epic, Nicholas and Alexandra is the compelling story of Nicholas II (Michael Jayston), the last Czar of Russia, and his wife Alexandra (Janet Suzman). Director Franklin J Schaffner frames the intimate lives of the Imperial Couple against the dramatic backdrop of the Russian Revolution, creating the filmic equivalent of a monumental frieze. Private and public lives intersect when Alexandra, who has clearly read Macbeth, influences Nicholas into several misguided actions while coping with her haemophilic newborn son. Schaffner builds suspense wonderfully as he illuminates the couple's mysterious bond to the mystical Rasputin (Tom Baker) and the events leading to their execution. Nominated for Best Picture, the splendidly lensed Nicholas and Alexandra earned two Oscars for its delicious eye candy (Art Direction, Costume Design). --Kevin Mulhall
This critically acclaimed wartime drama is an epic adventure of love friendship and courage during the Second World War. In a quiet Suffolk village life is disrupted when the 525th Bomber Group of the United States Eight Air Force with its Flying Fortress bombers its two thousand officers its energy and confidence arrive. Despite cultural differences between the brash Americans and the reserved but resilient villagers of Market Wetherby they pull together to face the common enemy. A story of romance hardship fear and sacrifice. Poignant and moving the reality behind this fictional drama makes it more so.
Random Hearts, starring Harrison Ford and Kristen Scott Thomas, is a compelling love story about two people who never would have met in a perfect world.
Thundercats the classic 80s cartoon finally arrives on DVD! In a distant galaxy the world of Thundera is in crisis. The planet's structure has become unstable and is near collapse. With their destruction imminent Thundera's denizens known as the Thundercats escape in a spaceship and plot a course for a new home. While in transit the Thundercats are attacked by evil mutants and their craft is irreparably damaged. Jaga the eldest Thundercat sacrifices himself in order to pilot the ship safely to its destination: Third Earth. Episodes Comprise: 1. Exodus 2. The Unholy Alliance 3. Berbils 4. The Slaves of Castle Plun-Darr 5. Pumm-Ra 6. The Terror of Hammerhand 7. Trouble with Time 8. The Tower of Traps 9. The Garden of Delights 10. Mandora: the Evil Chaser 11. The Ghost Warrior 12. The Doomgaze 13. Lord of the Snows 14. The Spaceship Beneath the Sands 15. The Time Capsule 16. The Fireballs of Plun-Darr 17. All That Glitters 18. Spitting Image 19. Mongor 20. Return to Thundera 21. Dr. Dometone 22. The Astral Prison 23. The Crystal Queen 24. Safari Joe 25. Snarf Takes Up the Challenge 26. Sixth Sense 27. The Thunder-Cutter 28. The Wolfrat 29. Feliner (1) 30. Feliner (2) 31. Mandora and the Pirates 32. Return of the Driller 33. Dimension Doom
The Lair is a spin-off from TV's Dante's Cove which follows the goings-on at a private gay club which is run by a group of vampires. A local journalist starts to investigate the high numbers of blood-drained bodies being found in the area and ends up putting himself and his boyfriend in grave danger.
Pilates uses slow controlled movements yet achieves dynamic results. Introduction: Pat Cash introduces the various sections to follow. Before You Begin: An explanation of the key postural positions and the correct breathing technique. Warm Up & Daily Session: A total balanced workout incoporating the fundamental movements to warm up the whole body. Main Programme: A comprehensive workout with some advanced techniques. Winding Down: A soothing re
Lynne Robinson takes you on a body control course to help you shape up in a friendly informative and fun way!
Clint Eastwood's stardom was supernova, thanks to Dirty Harry; John Sturges, the man behind The Magnificent Seven and a dozen other memorably leathery Westerns, was directing; and Elmore Leonard was the screenwriter. It just goes to show. Joe Kidd is a muddle and a drag, the shoddiest Eastwood vehicle since Rowdy Yates trod in his last cow flop. Kidd, first seen as a duded-up drunk sleeping one off in jail, is supposed to be a horse rancher and an expert tracker--just the fellow a rapacious land-grabber (Robert Duvall committing lazy villainy) needs to chase down the uppity Latino (John Saxon) who's trying to reclaim the grabbed land for its rightful owners. Neither the characters nor the overland pursuit makes any sense, thanks to chasms in the continuity and no direction to speak of. An absurdly arbitrary assault-by-locomotive provides the climax; as Eastwood observed, "Jesus, anything at this point--let's end it." --Richard T. Jameson
Peter Greenaway (The Cook, the Thief, His Wife and Her Lover, Drowning by Numbers) continues to delight and disturb us with his talent for combining storytelling with optic artistry. The Pillow Book is divided into 10 chapters (consistent with Greenaway's love of numbers and lists) and is shot to be viewed like a book, complete with tantalising illustrations and footnotes (subtitles) and using television's "screen-in-screen" technology. As a child in Japan, Nagiko's father celebrates her birthday retelling the Japanese creation myth and writing on her flesh in beautiful calligraphy, while her aunt reads a list of "beautiful things" from a 10th-century pillow book. As she gets older, Nagiko (Vivian Wu) looks for a lover with calligraphy skills to continue the annual ritual. She is initially thrilled when she encounters Jerome (Ewan McGregor), a bisexual translator who can speak and write several languages, but soon realises that although he is a magnificent lover, his penmanship is less than acceptable. When Nagiko dismisses the enamoured Jerome, he suggests she use his flesh as the pages which to present her own pillow book. The film, complete with a musical score as international as the languages used in the narration, is visually hypnotic and truly an immense "work of art". --Michele Goodson
When MTV gave Tom Petty a special video award in 1994 it was a very public acknowledgment of the imagination and hard work that has gone into a series of videos that have pushed the limits of a medium struggling to grow from a promotional tool to a genuine art form. Here are the best videos of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers a powerful document of the early evolution of a new kind of art - and some rockin' tunes by a great band.
When her abducted son finally returns home after 5 years Gail Carlson feels as if her prayers have been answered. However her nightmare is far from over when she is confronted with the emotional and mental trauma her son has endured.
Well, here's another nice mess you've gotten me into! Enter Laurel & Hardy's unique world of emblematic bowler hats and highly visual slapstick with this special compilation boxset of the very best Laurel & Hardy feature-length films. With Laurel playing the clumsy and childlike friend of the pompous bully Hardy, the misadventures of the most recognizable comedy double act, whose charm and on screen chemistry set a new standard, are perfectly captured here in high definition for the first time. Includes Block-Heads, Our Relations, Pardon Us, Sons of the Desert and Way Out West. Includes bonus: Another Fine Mess, Busy Bodies & Towed In A Hole
The class of the Broadway Melody series with the burnished talents of Astaire and Murphy and the timeless tunes of Cole Porter. The plot never the point of these exercises pits two dancers in a friendly rivalry for the attentions of Powell. This was the only screen appearance together of Astaire and Powell and it makes you wish for more. Also features a fifteen year old Judy Garland.
Ever wondered why Pilates is now one of the world's favourite exercise methods? Here's your chance to find out. Discover hidden strength and control with this exciting all new Pilates programme!Whilst every exercise incorporates the Pilates principles of concentration; relaxation; alignment; breathing: centring; co-ordination; flowing movements and stamina, in this DVD Lynne will focus in particular on centring, also called core stability.This DVD is perfect if you haven't yet tried Pilates as The Fundamentals are clearly explained and all of the Core Workout exercises have a beginner's version to follow. Check out the bonus feature too.On the other hand, if you're already a Pilates addict, you'll love the variations and advanced versions of old favourites, plus exciting new exercises specifically designed to challenge your core. Pilates has never been so much fun!
101 Films presents 1970s scifi classic Phase IV (1974), a gripping and philosophical cult classic that examines humanity's place in the universe. Title 012 on the 101 Films Black Label and a UK Bluray debut, Phase IV is the only feature film directed by designer and filmmaker Saul Bass, this release includes his original ending, among a host of additional extras, including a bonus disc featuring the finest of the director's short films. This limited edition version features special packaging, and a booklet with newlycommissioned writing on the history of killer bug' movies and the career of Saul Bass. In a sealed lab in the Arizona desert, scientists James Lesko (Michael Murphy, Manhattan) and Dr. Ernest Hubbs (Nigel Davenport, A Man for All Seasons) search for answers to an evolutionary shift in the ant population; the development of a collective intelligence and crossspecies hive mentality. With humanity under threat, the scientists are faced with the choice of either communicating with, or eradicating their antagonists. Features: New HD restoration The Original Saul Bass ending (plus optional commentary) An Ant's Life: Contextualising Phase IV Commentary with film historians Allan Bryce and Richard Holliss Limited Edition Booklet: includes Phase IV by Deborah Allison, and Adapt or Die: Killer Bug Cinema and Phase IV by Liam Hathaway Saul Bass: Short Films (Disc 2) The Searching Eye (1964) Why Man Creates (1968) Bass on Titles (1977) Notes on the Popular Arts (1978) The Solar Film (1980) Quest (1984) (new HD restoration)
Fuelled by Flowered Up's epic soundtrack, WIZ's Weekender (1992) was a film ahead of its time, both in form and content. It's an authentic glimpse at club and drug culture, engaging with contemporary issues that mainstream media were eager to sensationalise. Consequently, it was branded with an 18 certificate and banned by both the BBC and ITV, never reaching a wider audience.Ever since, Weekender has bubbled just below the surface, gaining genuine cult status and influencing a vast network of creators. Recently fully restored from the original negative and now released on BFI Blu-Ray, this first tangible document of the British rave scene is coupled with I Am Weekender - a brand new feature-length documentary about the making of the film and its enduring impact. Directed by Chloé Raunet, it features contributions from Irvine Welsh, Jeremy Deller, Shaun Ryder, RóisÃn Murphy, Lynne Ramsey, Heavenly's Jeff Barrett and many more, offering a unique insight into the heart of acid house.Product FeaturesPresented in High DefinitionWeekender (1992, 19 mins): following the band Flowered Up, Weekender explores the hedonistic side of club and drug culture in the UKTake It (5 mins): an original promotional video for Flowered Up directed by WIZPhobia (4 mins): promotional video for Flowered Up directed by Paul CannellIt's On (5 mins): an original promotional video for Flowered UpRaise (3 mins): an original Bocca Juniors promotional video featuring Anna Haigh and directed by WIZNish (3 mins): a short film by WIZ featuring previously unseen Super 8 footage filmed at a Boys Own party in 1989Limited edition of 2,000 copies (includes slipcase)**FIRST PRESSING ONLY** Illustrated booklet featuring new writing by journalist Miranda Sawyer, director WIZ and Des Penney, band manager and lyric writer for WeekenderOther extras TBC
Denver Bayliss (Kiefer Sutherland) is a cold-blooded killer who has been sentenced to death and is awaiting execution. Fred Whitmore (Forest Whitaker) is the haunted prison guard who befriends him: two men forced to live with the violence and degradation of death row. This is the story of one man who chooses to defy it until death and the shattering effect that struggle has on everyone close to him: the stone-hearted cell-block lieutenant (Clancy Brown) Denver's estranged sister (Amanda Plummer) and his ex-attorney (Kathleen Quinlan).
Rock music's most celebrated musicians pay tribute to the legendary George Harrison with a concert at the Royal Albert Hall.
Please wait. Loading...
This site uses cookies.
More details in our privacy policy