Available for the first time on DVD! Call Me Claus is a hysterically delightful and touching story starring Whoopi Goldberg and featuring Nigel Hawthorne as Santa Claus himself. Lucy Cullins (Goldberg) is a cranky volatile producer at a home shopping network in charge of hiring the station's on-air Santa Claus. Nigel Hawthorne is the ""real"" Santa Claus who finding himself at the end of his 200-year contract must convince Lucy that she is the perfect candidate to fill his shoes.
Madeline (Dir. Daisy von Scherler Mayer 1998): Madeline and her eleven friends live at school run by Miss Clavel (Frances McDormand) in an old house in Paris. The smallest of the girls Madeline is also the most adventurous! She loses her appendix but gains an awesome scare falls into the River Seine only to be rescued by a dog called Genevieve and matches wits with Pepito the devilish son of a Spanish Ambassador who moves in next door. However when stuffy Lord Covington puts the future of the school in jeopardy it's up to Madeline and her friends to save the day! Matilda (Dir. Danny DeVito 1996) Unfortunately for Matilda her father Harry (Danny DeVito) is a used car salesman who bamboozles innocent customers and her mother Zinnia (Rhea Perlman) lives for bingo and soap operas. Far from noticing what a special child Matilda is they barely notice her at all! They bundle Matilda off to Cruncham Hall a bleak school where students cower before the whip hand and fist of a hulking monster headmistress Miss Trunchball (Pam Ferris). But amid Crunchem's darkness Matilda discovers remarkable skills - including a very special talent that allows her to turn the table on the wicked grown ups in her world! A Simple Wish (Dir. Michael Ritchie 1997): Tells the sweet-natured story of Murray a bumbling fairy godfather who has good intentions but not much else. Technically Murray is a fairy godmother--the only male member of the North American Fairy Godmother Association. After barely passing his godmother's exam he is sent to New York City to watch after Anabel a young girl who wishes that her father Oliver will land a part in a Broadway musical so that the family won't have to move to Nebraska. But when the district's previous godmother a nefarious spellcaster named Claudia arrives with her wacky sidekick Boots her plans to cripple Murray and Anabel's magical association and monopolize the wish market wreak havoc on the already unstable Murray. It's up to Murray and Anabel to pool their resources and get rid of Claudia and Boots once and for all. Director Michael Ritchie turns the fairytale knob up a notch with 'A Simple Wish' also taking the time to poke fun at Broadway musicals. Featuring spectacular special effects and an extremely engaging performance by Wilson this is a children's fable with a fresh twist.
Julie Christie stars in an award-winning adaptation of Doris Lessing's famous dystopian novel of 1974. This complex haunting science-fiction feature - screened in the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival in 1981 - is presented in a brand-new transfer from the original film elements in its as-exhibited theatrical aspect ratio. Set in Britain at an unspecified point in the near-future Memoirs of a Survivor tells the story of 'D' a housewife trying to carry on after a cataclysmic war that has left society in a state of collapse. Rubbish is piled high in the streets among near-derelict buildings covered with graffiti; the electricity supply is variable and water is now collected from a van. 'D' spends her time examining her relations with authority with the marauding gangs of brutalised children who roam the streets and with Emily the traumatised orphaned teenager who is delivered into her care. Special Features: Image Gallery Promotional Material PDFS
This film adaptation of a critically acclaimed stage production of Shakespeare's historical drama stars Ian McKellen in the title role. The setting is a comic-book vision of 1930s London: part art deco, part Third Reich, part industrial-age rust and rot. The play's force is turned into a synthetic high by art directors and storyboard sketchers, all of whom have a field day condensing the material into disposable pop imagery. Richard III is a fun film, more than anything, so infatuated with its own monstrous stitchery that even the most awkward casting (Annette Bening and Robert Downey Jr) seems a part of the ridiculous design. McKellen is the best thing about the movie, his mesmerising portrayal of freakish despotism and poisoned desire a thing to behold. --Tom Keogh
Sweeney! Hard-bitten Flying Squad officer Jack Regan (Thaw) gets embroiled in a deadly political plot when an old friend asks him to investigate the death of his girlfriend. Framed on a drink-driving charge and suspended from the force with his partner and best mate George Carter (Waterman) unable to help Jack must rely on his wits to evade deadly government hitmen and expose the real villain... Sweeney 2 Regan and Carter head a n investigation into a series of British bank raids by a team of well-armed villains who are flying in from the continent.
Miss Emmeline Lucas (Geraldine McEwan) known universally to her friends as Lucia is a dreadful snob but in Miss Elizabeth Mapp (Prunella Scales) of Mallards Lucia meets her match. On the surface they are the most genteel of society ladies but beneath the veneer of politeness and etiquette lies a bitter and seething malice. There is no plan too devious no plot too cunning no depths to which they would not sink in order to win the battle for social supremacy. Using their deadly weapons of garden parties bridge evenings and charming teas the two combatants strive to outcharm each other as they vie for the position of toast of the town... This release features all ten episodes from both series of Mapp & Lucia adapted from the celebrated books by E.F. Benson. Episode titles: The Village Fete Battle Stations The Italian Connection Lobster Pots The Owl And The Pussycat Winner Takes All Change and Change About Lady Bountiful Worship Au Reservoir.
This is the incredibly powerful story of the Stalin years. It is based on rarely seen archival footage, contemporary diaries and documents and personal memoirs, as well as interviews with relatives and those people who survived the Gulag labour camps and World War II. It follows the events from Stalin's rise to power, his association with Hitler and the Soviet involvement in the Second World War right through to his death. First regarded as a visionary, it soon became apparent that Stalin was a capricious, ruthless tyrant who would arrange for the ‘removal’ of anyone he thought was opposing him. For nearly 30 years, he maintained power without challenge by manipulating his people through propaganda, state sponsored lies and terror. In this tremendously moving and at times graphic, harrowing and shocking documentary, we witness the suffering and sacrifices of the people of the Soviet Union and discover what led to the death of millions of Soviet citizens during the Great Patriotic War.
An eccentric Grandfather and his dog Roo embark on an expedition to the North Pole. Also includes 'Roo Reveals All' which is a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film.
After viewing Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Edgar Rice Burroughs wrote to Walt Disney about adapting his novel of an ape-man into a feature animated cartoon. Sixty odd years later, the tale is finally told with brilliant design work that looks unlike any previous animated film. The story is a natural for Disney since the themes of misunderstood central figures have been at the heart of most of its recent hits. Disney's Tarzan doesn't wander far from the familiar story of a shipwrecked baby who is brought up by apes in Africa. What gives the film its zing is its clever use of music (the songs are sung by Phil Collins himself rather than onscreen characters) and the remarkable animation. Deep Canvas, a 3-D technology, was developed for the film, creating a jungle that comes alive as Tarzan swings through the trees, often looking like a modern skateboarder racing down giant tree limbs. The usual foray of sidekicks, including a rambunctious ape voiced by Rosie O'Donnell, should keep the little ones aptly entertained. The two lead voices, Tony Goldwyn as Tarzan and Minnie Driver as Jane, are inspired choices. Their chemistry helps the story through the weakest points (the last third) and makes Tarzan's initial connection with all things human (including Jane) delicious entertainment. Disney still is not taking risks in its animated films, but as cookie-cutter entertainment, Tarzan makes a pretty good treat. On the DVD: It's the dish--mistakes, unused footage, creative differences, embarrassing behind-the-scene stories--that makes collector's editions so much fun. Unfortunately, this goes against the Disney philosophy of picture-perfection, and this two-set disc shows it; only half of the new material is engaging. The other half of this second disc, the "Tarzan Archives," is a slickly produced filler--more publicity fluff than real insight on the development of the film and the animation process. Much better are the three abandoned scenes (with voices and storyboards), including a much fiercer opening and ending, plus dozens of sketches made over the years as the designers pursued the luscious look of the film. The original audio demos Phil Collins made for the film are also intriguing (mostly filled with dummy or place-holding lyrics). The new audio commentary (by the producer and two directors) is a "fireside chat" variety, hardly worth more than one listen. Two side-by-side comparisons of storyboards to final film are a great tool to show youngsters how the animated process works, as is animator Glen Keane's talks on animating Tarzan. Also for kids: a read-along book and trivia game. --Doug Thomas
For half a century the single play was the dominant form of television entertainment and an art form in and of itself. Personal, political, comedic, dramatic a single play could be any (and all) of these, the fearlessness of the creatives and the willingness of the audience allowing a level of variety and experimentation that will never occur again.Showcasing specially selected plays from the archives, this ongoing collection shows how compelling and varied these shows could be, with many unseen since their original transmission.NEIGHBOURS (1970)Good fences make good neighbours; everyone is entitled to be alone. A woman sits in a room. A neighbour comes to call. But what does he want? And why won't he leave? And what will be the outcome of their disturbing hour together?Starring JUDI DENCH and CALVIN LOCKHARTWritten by JAMES SAUNDERS Directed by BRIAN MILLSA ROD OF IRON (1980)In David Mercer's International Emmy Award-winning drama, two brothers come home for the first time in years to be at their dying mother's bedside. They are stunned to hear their father confess his true feelings towards his wife and now adult sons.Starring ALFRED BURKE, NIGEL HAWTHORNE and EDWARD WOODWARDWritten by DAVID MERCER Directed by DAVID CUNLIFFE
Ross a self-absorbed and determined young man plans to sell off his family's priceless wine collection to finance his purchase of a substantial mining interest which promises to make him rich. However standing in the way is his eccentric Uncle Cullen who has a very different and much more bizarre plan for the family estate.
Matilda: Unfortunately for Matilda her father Harry (Danny DeVito) is a used car salesman who bamboozles innocent customers and her mother Zinnia (Rhea Perlman) lives for bingo and soap operas. Far from noticing what a special child Matilda is they barely notice her at all! They bundle Matilda off to Cruncham Hall a bleak school where students cower before the whip hand and fist of a hulking monster headmistress Miss Trunchball (Pam Ferris). But amid Crunchem's darkness Ma
In 'The Bear' a polar bear returns a teddy bear to a little girl and so begins a beautiful friendship. Based on the book by Raymond Biggs. 'The Last Polar Bears' finds an eccentric Grandfather and his dog Roo who embark on an expedition to the North Pole.
Miss Emmeline Lucas known universally to her friends as Lucia is a dreadful snob but in Miss Elizabeth Mapp of Mallards Lucia meets her match. On the surface they are the most genteel of society ladies but beneath the veneer of politeness and etiquette lies a bitter and seething malice. There is no plan too devious no plot too cunning no depths to which they would not sink in order to win the battle for social supremacy. Using their deadly weapons of garden parties bridge evenings and charming teas the two combatants strive to outcharm each other as the vie for the position of toast of the town. The Village Fete: Still mourning the death of her husband nine months previously Lucia decides to get away from the village where she lives for a while and rent a place in another part of England. Taking her best friend Georgie along with her and they both fall in love with the place. They decide that they will both rent there for the summer and return to home to participate in the village fete before moving out... Battle Stations: Lucia and Georgie move to their rented homes in Tilling and it is not long before Lucia and Miss Mapp are competing against each other in games of oneupmanship. The Italian Connection: Lucia holds her garden party in Mapp's garden and it is a success. Her happiness is soon brought back to earth when Mapp gleefully tells her that the Contessa Faraglione is coming to visit Tilling and that the two of them will be able to talk Italian to each other. Lobster Pots: A party at Lucia's new home leads to Mapp trying anything she can to get hold of Lucia's recipe for lobster. This leads to the two of them finding themselves stuck in the house during a raging flood. The Owl And The Pussycat: After months lost at sea Mapp and Lucia return to Tilling much to the surprise of all the residents who had thought that they had died. They both plan evenings where they will tell their memoirs of their adventure versions that differ quite dramatically from each other...
RARG is a land so perfect that the sun never rises until it is absolutely sure that everyone is awake. It is a wonderful fantasy world where the population thrives on making exciting new discoveries. Until one day an astonishing discovery is made. The Rargians discover that they are just a dream. They are being dreamt by a man called Edwin Barnes who is in imminent danger of being woken up by his alarm clock. And so the adventure begins! This is a BAFTA nominated children's classic animated tale created by award winning animator Tony Collingwood narrated by Sir Nigel Hawthorne and with music from the London Symphony Orchestra this is a wonderful tale to be enjoyed by children and adults alike.
An animated adventure from the artistic team behind 'Watership Down'. A pair of dogs Rowf (Christopher Benjamin) and Snitter (John Hurt) escape from an animal research facility situated in a remote part of the English countryside. Rowf is cynical and mistrusting of humans having only known the tortured existence of being a laboratory animal. Snitter on the other hand had previously enjoyed life as a domestic pet and longs to be loved and cared for by a human master once again. Unprepared for life in the wild the pair befriend a fox The Tod (James Bolam) who helps them learn to survive in the bleak environment by feeding on the area's livestock. As the authorities attempt to track down the escapees things take a turn for the worse when a deliberately leaked story suggests the dogs may be infected with the bubonic plague...
Tarzan:The classic tale of Tarzan an orphan who is brought up by apes and believes them to be his family. This changes when on an expedition he rescues Jane and discovers that he is human after all. Now he must decide where he really belongs. Tarzan was the last Disney animated blockbuster for the 20th century and it pulled out all the stops with star studded voice-overs by the likes of Nigel Hawthorne Minnie Driver Glenn Close and Rosie O'Donnell while
House Of MirthDirector Terence Davies' sumptuous adaptation of the Edith Wharton classic novel 'The House of Mirth' is a tragic love story set against a background of wealth and social hypocrisy in the turn of the century New York. The Madness Of King GeorgeIn 'The Madness of King George' George III (Nigel Hawthorne) begins to behave in an odd manner thirty years into his rule over England shouting obscenities at people spouting garbled rubbish and attacking his wife's young Mistress of the Robes Lady Pembroke (Amanda Donohoe). The Prince of Wales (Rupert Graves) is determined to see that his father is declared unfit to rule so he can become Regent and denies him access to those close to him. The Prime Minister is forced to intervene and sends his own doctor to help the King instead of the Prince's doctors and the King eventually begins to regain his sanity. Land GirlsIt's 1941. World War II continues to rage across Europe. The young men of England have been called to the front to fight. So back at home a new regiment is formed an army of England's young women who are dispatched across the countryside to pick up the slack known as 'The Land Girls'.
Tarzan:The classic tale of Tarzan an orphan who is brought up by apes and believes them to be his family. This changes when on an expedition he rescues Jane and discovers that he is human after all. Now he must decide where he really belongs. Tarzan was the last Disney animated blockbuster for the 20th century and it pulled out all the stops with star studded voice-overs by the likes of Nigel Hawthorne Minnie Driver Glenn Close and Rosie O'Donnell while all the songs are performed by Phil Collins. Hercules:Bestowed with superhuman strength a young mortal named Hercules sets out to prove himself a hero in the eyes of his father the great god Zeus. Along with his friends Pegasus a flying horse and Phil a personal trainer Hercules is tricked by the hilarious hotheaded villain Hades who's plotting to take over Mount Olympus! Hercules must now choose between his legendary strength and his true love the Grecian beauty Meg. Only by learning a valuable lesson... that it's not the size of your strength that counts but the strength of your heart... will Hercules save Mount Olympus and be proclaimed a hero!
Please wait. Loading...
This site uses cookies.
More details in our privacy policy