An irresistible, comic drama from director Alan Parker (Evita, Mississippi Burning), overflowing and alive with passion, humor and music, The Commitments showcases some old R&B standards in a new light. A headstrong, fast-talking, ambitious young Dubliner (Robert Arkins) fancies himself a promoter of talent, and sets about assembling and packaging a local Irish R&B band. His group of self-absorbed, backbiting, but stunningly talented individuals begin to succeed beyond his wildest dreams, until petty jealousies and recrimination threaten to scuttle the whole deal. A moody, vivid and soulful exploration of the Dublin club scene as well as a showcase for some wonderful unknown actors, the film (and its wonderful soundtrack) also features the actual band covering classic soul tunes from the likes of Otis Redding and Sam and Dave. It's that combination of soul and soul music that makes The Commitments a special little film. --Robert Lane, Amazon.com --This text refers to the VHS edition of this video
A performance of Les Miserables by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall, for a 10th Anniversary Concert celebration.
Michael Ball is one of the UK's most loved performers. From leading the cast of Les Misérables to singing his heart out to adoring audiences around the world fans can treasure their favourite singer live in concert. Recorded at the Hammersmith Apollo with a 17 piece backing band this sensational performance - captured with 10 HD Cameras and in Dolby 5.1 Sound - will be a must buy for fans of Michael's both old and new. The On Both Sides Now Tour features the biggest hits from both Michael's recording and stage career - and also features a new track written by Andrew Lloyd-Webber. Plus free bonus gift inside - 8 track CD! A perfect Christmas gift.
In 1998, a concert celebrated Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's 50th birthday at the Royal Albert Hall. It featured more than two hours of hits from a body of work spanning almost three decades. In this record of a memorable night, star after star steps onto a massive, Eurovision-style set to revisit golden moments in their long association with Britain's most successful composer of musicals. Elaine Paige in big frocks and even bigger voice delivers "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" and "Memory" with her usual power; Michael Ball and Donny Osmond stretch the last vestiges of boyish charm to the very limits but still sound great; and Boyzone get the youth vote. Then there are Kiri te Kanawa, Bonnie Tyler, Tina Arena and of course, another encore for Julian Lloyd Webber and those Variations on the cello. But the stars are Sir Andrew's ex-wife Sarah Brightman in an outstanding selection from The Phantom of the Opera (probably his best work), Antonio Banderos who really can sing, and Glenn Close, a stupendous, moving Norma Desmond in songs from Sunset Boulevard. All in all, a deserved celebration for someone who has given so many people a great deal of pleasure, and a treat for musicals fans of all ages. --Piers Ford
Seen by over 120 million people worldwide, LES MISÃRABLES is undisputedly one of the world's most popular musicals. Coinciding with its 35th triumphant year in London's West End, Cameron Mackintosh produced a spectacular sell-out staged concert version at the Gielgud Theatre featuring an all-star cast including Michael Ball, Alfie Boe, Carrie Hope Fletcher, Matt Lucas and John Owen Jones. Now experience the musical phenomenon at home, after it broke box office records and sold out its entire 16 week season. Featuring a cast and orchestra of over 65 and including the songs I Dreamed A Dream, Bring Him Home, One Day More and On My Own this sensational staged concert is not to be missed - an absolute must-see for any fans of musical theatre or live event cinema.
The 10th-anniversary-concert video of the international musical sensation Les Misérables might be the best thing to appease fans until a full-fledged movie comes along. Or it might be even better, as feature films are often subject to extra musical casting considerations and this 1995 dream cast is superb. Reprising their roles from the original London company are Colm Wilkinson (Valjean), Michael Ball (Marius) and Alun Armstrong (Thenardier). From Broadway come Judy Kuhn (Cosette), Lea Salonga (Eponine) and Michael Maguire (Enjolras); from a later London production comes Ruthie Henshall (Fantine); and from Australia comes Philip Quast (Javert). Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg's score vividly captures the passion of Victor Hugo's epic tale of pre-Revolutionary France, combining tear-jerking ballads ("I Dreamed a Dream", "Bring Him Home") and rousing anthems ("Do You Hear the People Sing"). The format of this concert is closer to that of a dramatic cantata rather than a fully staged production; the singers stand at their microphones with an orchestra and chorus behind them, but they do wear costumes and participate in some movement. At certain points, such as the climax of the barricade scene, the video switches to action from a stage production. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra sounds great, and it can be thrilling when 200 choristers (dressed in logo T-shirts) rise to their feet for a full-company number such as "One Day More". Also, subtitles provide date and scene information and help move the story along. This 147-minute version contains footage not seen before, most notably the encore in which a progression of 17 actors who have played Valjean around the world share "Do You Hear the People Sing?" Each sings a line in his native language, a testament to the enduring power of this show to audiences everywhere.--David Horiuchi, Amazon.com
One of TV's more interesting tough-girl action shows, Dark Angel is a distinctive blend of the personal, the adventurous and the politically aware. Cocreators James Cameron (yes, that James Cameron) and Charles Eglee present a complex scenario of biological super-science and social collapse in which their gene-manipulated heroine and hacker/journalist hero can genuinely make a difference. In this first series they also provide an adversary who is a lot more than just a conventional villain. Jessica Alba is impressive as Max, bred and trained as a super-soldier but reclaiming her individual humanity; Michael Weatherly is scruffily attractive as Eyes Only, who sits semi-paralysed in his eyrie above Seattle uncovering crime, corruption and other skulduggeries and sending the woman whom he hopelessly loves out on deadly errands. Jon Savage has real authority as Lydeker, a man who has stretched his conscience to breaking point, but is not personally corrupt. Some of the best episodes here--"Prodigy" for example--are ones in which Lydeker and Max are forced into temporary alliance. Early on the relationship between Max and the other workers at Jam Pony--the courier firm that provides her with a cover identity--is a little forced, but later on the two parts of Max's life are more successfully integrated: "Shorties in Love", for example, is a genuinely touching tale about Diamond, the doomed criminal ex-lover of Max's lesbian roommate. Dark Angel was never a perfect show, but at its occasional best it manages to be simultaneously funny and dramatic. On the DVD: Dark Angel, Series 1's Region 2 DVD is ungenerous with special features, providing only short interviews with James Cameron and Charles Eglee and with the stars, and giving us a preview of the Dark Angel computer game. The episodes are presented in widescreen and have excellent Dolby Digital sound which gives vivid presence to both the dialogue and the hard-driving contemporary rock score that is part of the show's style. --Roz Kaveney
For the best part of a millennium Windsor Castle has been at the heart of the national story; the awesome fortress; family home; treasure chest; and burial ground for the Royal dynasty who went on to take its name. But there is another unseen side to the Castle which the tourists never see... It is the real Windsor - home workplace playground and paradise. The Queen's Castle explore this hidden world in all its glory. This year for the first time ever Windsor ha
The second and last series of Dark Angel, the inventive James Cameron show about mutants during a future Depression, has some real strengths, as well as having one or two bad ideas that partly explain its much-regretted cancellation. Among the strengths are Alex, the thoroughly unreliable mutant charmer whose flirtations with heroine Max complicate her doomed love for Logan, the crippled newshound whom she cannot now even touch--she has been infected with a deadly virus tailored specifically to kill him. The distrust this sows between the doomed couple does not always avoid soap opera clichés, but often produces fine performances, especially from Jessica Alba as Max. On the down side, John Savage's memorably ambiguous villain Lydeker from Series 1 (who is alternately the mutants' nemesis and their protector), disappears to be replaced by the melodramatically sinister Agent White. White appears to be just a shoot-to-kill operative of the state but turns out to be another sort of superhuman, a product of an occultist breeding programme going back to the dawn of history. After White's first ruthless killing, Max's reluctance to use deadly force is tested to near implausible limits. The show ends with a rousing and moving finale, "Freak Nation", in which a theme often neglected in this final year--Max's relationship with her fellow couriers at Jam Pony--reaches a powerful climax. On the DVD: Dark Angel's Series 2 release is ungenerous with special features, giving us an interesting but short documentary in which James Cameron, producer Charles Eglee and various designers describe how they created this rundown future Seattle with a mixture of location shots, set dressing and CGI, as well as a preview of the Dark Angel game. --Roz Kaveney
The World's Greatest Concert Of Musicals. A magical night of theatre that could only take place in your dreams... until now. Hey Mr Producer! features selected scenes from the productions of the world's most successful musical producer Cameron Mackintosh - classic songs from classic musicals performed by the ultimate cast. Now dreams become reality in this stunning theatrical concert introduced by Julie Andrews. Featuring a glittering array of internationall
The DVD features 23 live performances and 4 exclusive rehearsal tracks filmed during Michael's 1997 tour of the same name. Michael Ball is one of the greatest talents of Broadway and now for the first time 'The Musicals And More' is available on DVD. Tracklisting: Don't Rain On My Parade; On Broadway; I Dreamed A Dream; Empty Chairs Empty Tables; Something's Coming; Sunset Boulevard; With One Look; Easy Terms; Last Night Of The World; All I Ask Of You (Duet with Lisa Hull); A
War drama starring Richard Attenborough, John Gregson and Michael Craig. Captain Williams (Gregson) is a martinet mine expert who undertakes to whip the hitherto lackadaisacal British Long Range Desert Group patrol into shape. This brings him into conflict with patrol leader Captain Cotton (Craig), but earns him the respect of hard-bitten trooper Brody (Attenborough). The wisdom of Williams' no-nonsense approach is demonstrated when the patrol is besieged by the highly-disciplined members of the German Afrika Korps.
Relive Michael Ball's Sold Out 'Heroes' Tour with this DVD! Michael's new tour features solid gold classic songs which were originally big hits for legendary artists such as Tony Bennett Johnny Mathis Frank Sinatra Neil Diamond Billy Joel and more. The songs featured were hits in the 1950s 60s and 70s and have stood the test of such as 'Summer Wind' by Frank Sinatra 'Joanna' by Scott Walker the beautiful 'Play Me' by Neil Diamond Billy Joel's 'New York State Of Mind' and Tony Bennett's version of 'For Once In My Life' to name just a few. The DVD also features Behind the Scenes interviews and much more.
That Day We Sang by Victoria Wood is a musical set in Manchester 1969. It’s the story of Tubby & Enid two lonely middle-aged people who grab a second chance at life reconnected by the power of music. They meet at a reunion of the Manchester Children’s Choir who made the iconic Columbia recording of Nymphs and Shepherds in 1929. Tubby and Enid’s faltering romance is interweaved with the story of Jimmy a member of the choir whose love of singing transcends his difficult home life. As we go between Tubby and Jimmy their stories collide and they must somehow find each other. Bonus Features: Includes hour-long documentary That Musical We Made - An honest and funny look at the making of a musical. It's a fascinating look at the nuts and bolts of a big musical production revealing how the choreography musical arrangements and design all have to work together to tell the story. As well as exploring the inherent bonkersness of any work in progress (How does Michael Ball hang off a ladder while singing at the top of his voice? Which is the best camera angle for a giant plastic prawn? And do we have enough period braces for a whole orchestra?) Victoria also looks at the real events which inspired her story.
Spain 1809 - Colonel Sir Henry Simmerson arrives with his new regiment the South Essex and Wellesley decides to keep in Simmerson's good graces by arranging for the South Essex to blow up the bridge at Valdelacasa. Aware that Simmerson is incompetent Wellesley orders Sgt Richard Sharpe to see that the mission is a success in exchange for a promotion to captain. Simmerson is infuriated to learn that Sharpe is not a gentleman and was raised from the ranks by Wellesley. In revenge he orders Sharpe to train his men to fire three rounds a minute by nightfall or they will be flogged as punishment for failure. Sharpe and Harper manage to succeed but only manage to infuriate Simmerson even more. The following day Simmerson orders Capt Lennox to lead the South Essex across the bridge in the attempt to chase away a small French patrol. However an ambush by the French cavalry brings on a rescue attempt with Sharpe in control...will this mean a promotion and even more enemies?
Continuing its mission to unearth the very best in weird and wonderful horror obscura from the golden age of US independent genre moviemaking, Arrow Video is proud to present the long-awaited second volume in its American Horror Project series co-curated by author Stephen Thrower (Nightmare USA: The Untold Story of the Exploitation Independents). Starting off with a little-seen 1970 offering from underrated cult auteur John Hayes (Grave of the Vampire, Garden of the Dead), Dream No Evil is a haunting, moving tale of a young woman's desperate quest to be reunited with her long-lost father only to find herself drawn into a fantasyland of homicidal madness. Meanwhile, 1976's Dark August stars Academy Award-winner Kim Hunter (A Streetcar Named Desire) in a story of a man pursued by a terrifying and deadly curse in the wake of a hit-and-run accident. Lastly, 1977's Harry Novak-produced The Child is a gloriously delirious slice of horror mayhem in which a young girl raises an army of the dead against the people she holds responsible for her mother's death. With all three films having been newly remastered from the best surviving film elements and appearing here for the first time ever on Blu-ray, alongside a wealth of supplementary material, American Horror Project Volume Two offers up yet another fascinating and blood-chilling foray into the deepest, darkest corners of stars-and-stripes terror. Limited Edition Contents: Brand new 2K restorations from original film elements High Definition Blu-ray presentation Original uncompressed PCM mono audio English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing Reversible sleeves for each film featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by The Twins of Evil American Horror Project Journal Vol. II limited edition 60-page booklet featuring new writing on the films by Stephen R. Bissette, Travis Crawford and Amanda Reyes Dream No Evil: Filmed appreciation by Stephen Thrower Brand new audio commentary with Kat Ellinger and Samm Deighan Hollywood After Dark: The Early Films of John Hayes, 1959-1971 brand new video essay by Stephen Thrower looking at Hayes' filmography leading up to Dream No Evil Writer Chris Poggiali on the prodigious career of celebrated character actor Edmond O'Brien Excerpts from an audio interview with actress Rue McClanahan (The Golden Girls) discussing her many cinematic collaborations with director John Hayes Dark August: Filmed appreciation by Stephen Thrower Brand new audio commentary with writer-director Martin Goldman Brand new on-camera interview with Martin Goldman Brand new on-camera interview with producer Marianne Kanter The Hills Are Alive: Dark August and Vermont Folk Horror author and artist Stephen R. Bissette on Dark August and its context within the wider realm of genre filmmaking out of Vermont Original Press Book The Child: 1.37:1 and 1.85:1 presentations of the feature Filmed appreciation by Stephen Thrower Brand new audio commentary with director Robert Voskanian and producer Robert Dadashian, moderated by Stephen Thrower Brand new on-camera interviews with Robert Voskanian and Robert Dadashian Original Theatrical Trailer Original Press Book
Young Amy (Anna Paquin) is reunited with her father (Jeff Daniels) after a nine-year separation. One day Amy discovers a nest of orphaned goose eggs and decides to take them home and nurture them until they hatch. When the newly hatched goslings adopt her as their Mother Goose Amy and her father become airborne adventurers battling against bad weather and a host of other pitfalls in their efforts to teach the geese to fly...
Director Tobe Hooper's Lifeforce, the follow-up to his most popular hit Poltergeist, is a film that must be seen to be believed. That's not really a compliment, though, since Lifeforce isn't much of a movie when all the sound and fury is over. But you've got to admit there's something crazily admirable about a picture that starts out as a science fiction mission to Halley's comet, turns into an alien-invasion thriller featuring a beautiful naked woman (Mathilda May) who's a vampire from space and escalates into an end-of-the-world disaster flick. Armed with a big budget and a special effects crew led by Star Wars pioneer John Dykstra, Hooper and Alien cowriter Dan O'Bannon have whipped up a concoction that's got everything anyone could ask of a horror movie--from zombies running amok in London to rotting corpses and energy bolts that signal the apocalypse to come. Keeping it all together is Steve Railsback as the Halley-mission survivor who holds the key to mankind's salvation--but what fun is saving the world when you could be seduced by a sexy naked space vampire? Check out Lifeforce to see how it all turns out. --Jeff Shannon
Benjamin (Angarono) home-schooled by his eccentric mother (Coolidge) is a loner whose passion for writing leads him on a journey as his story first gets ripped off by the legendary fantasy novelist Ronald Chevalier (Clement) and then is adapted into a disastrous movie by the small town's most prolific homespun filmmaker. Starring Jermaine Clement from 'Flight Of The Conchords' and directed by Jared Hess ('Napoleon Dynamite' 'Nacho Libre').
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