From the novel by John Irving comes this darkly comic tale of an eccentric New England family. As the father moves them from one place to the next setting up a new hotel each time the assortment of oddball characters seem to become involved in ever more bizarre situations. Frannie becomes obsessed with the boy who attacks her John becomes obsessed with Frannie his sister and both of them fall for a girl who is so insecure she hides in a bear outfit Frank is coming to terms with his homosexuality and the youngest Lilly is convinced she isn't growing. The family pet is a flatulent dog that ends up stuffed and causes more trouble than when it was alive...
Having based so much of his career on the films from the region, Jean Claude Van Damme heads to Hong Kong itself for his film Knock Off. Set in the 72 hours running up to the British handover to China (and released a mere year after the actual event), the film's action centres around the colony's thriving bootleg business, tied in with a rather convoluted plot concerning the CIA, Russian Mafia and an attempt to hold the United States to ransom through covert attacks. The opening section unwisely tries Van Damme's hand at knockabout humour with partner Rob Schneider but merely proves that the star is severely lacking the sort of humorous touch that Arnold Schwarzenegger has so successfully utilised. Once Knock Off descends into more familiar Van Damme territory, the film--and its leading man--are on surer ground. There are a good deal of spectacular fight sequences, some amazing stunts and a feisty female sparring partner in the form of Lela Rochen. Even the always-reliable Paul Sorvino pops up. Director Tsui Hark hits upon some interesting and initially invigorating visual effects but soon overdoes them, actually highlighting the lack of decent story rather than enhancing it. There is an incredible film to be made about this period in history but this isn't it. Knock Off is merely another undemanding, high-kicking, high-octane vehicle for Van Damme. --Phil Udell
Bust: The Complete First Series (2 Disc)
Written by Rumpole of the Bailey creator John Mortimer this six-part television dramatisation is based on the sixteen years that William Shakespeare is known to have spent in London remains one of the most impressive biographical portraits to date. With each episode built around the creation of a single play a skilful interweaving of known events and contemporary interpretation show how key experiences may have inspired some of Shakespeare's greatest works - the death of his young son and his love for the famous 'dark lady' of the sonnets for example. The bustling taverns and theatres of Elizabethan London are lavishly recreated while Shakespeare himself is played with tremendous sensitivity and breadth by Tim Curry. Originally screened in 1978 Will Shakespeare is a brilliantly imagined and very human portrait in which the flaws and frailties as well as the immense strengths of one of the world's greatest dramatists are brought vividly to life.
Paula Wilcox Shaun Dingwall Phil Daniels Kellie Bright and James Buckley star in Rock & Chips It's Christmas 1960 and the Trotters are settling into their new flat in Sir Walter Raleigh House Peckham. Rodney is a babe in arms Reg is still drawing the dole and hard-working Joan is struggling to keep the family afloat after losing her jobs at the town hall and the cinema. A 16-year-old Del has left school and is exploring employment opportunities around the docks - including a nice line in selling 45s straight off the back of a boat from America - and Freddie Robdal has been temporarily detained in Wormwood Scrubs at Her Majesty's pleasure. Meanwhile Del who has been advised that slipping an engagement ring on a girl's finger can open up a whole new world of lustful opportunity has managed to get himself engaged to half of Peckham. But will any of his engagements lead to a trip up the aisle?
The Navy's elite SEAL (Sea Air and Land) squad is made up of the best of the best: supreme warriors who take on dangerous missions no other fighting force would dare attempt. Sent to rescue the crew of a US aircraft held hostage by Middle East terrorists the SEALs know that their skills will be put to the test. But when they discover that the terrorists have seized the plane's arsenal of deadly Stinger missiles they're thrust onto the frontlines of the battle of a lifetime...
This latest incarnation stars Scottish actor David Tennant as the 'good doctor' ably flanked by the lovely Billy Piper resuming her role as the Timelord's spunky sidekick Rose. Episodes Comprise: 1. Rise Of The Cybermen 2. The Age Of Steel 3. The Idiot's Lantern
Years on the Northern cabaret circuit enabled Tommy Cannon and Bobby Ball to hone their act for this ratings-winning show making the comedians household names and beloved by millions. A mixture of sketches spectacular variety entertainment and a wealth of big-name guest stars ensured this massively popular series ran for many years.
The new series of Doctor Who features Christopher Eccleston as the re-incarnated Doctor and Billie Piper as his trusty sidekick. Episodes comprise: 1. Rose: When Rose Tyler meets a mysterious stranger called the Doctor her life will never be the same again. Soon she realises that her mum her boyfriend and the whole of Planet Earth are in danger. The only hope for salvation lies inside a strange blue box... 2. The End Of The World: The Doctor takes Rose on
During the Second World War, Britain's women were asked to help out the farming industry by joining The Women's Land Army (The Land Girls). Three city gals make their way to the Lawrence farm in Dorset, and find themselves taking to the work easily enough. The only problem between them is each want young Joe (Steven Mackintosh) for their own reasons. Ag (Anna Friel) is the fiery sort who'll take pleasure where she finds it; Prue (Rachel Wiesz) just wants a lesson in the ways of the world; while Stella (Catherine McCormack) is looking for a way out of the private trap she's set in motion back home, but her feelings are the most sincere of the bunch. The film is Stella's story really (as adapted from the novel by Angela Huth), and has her affecting the on-off decision by Joe to join the RAF, the fight with the government to keep the East Meadow as it is and the paths the two other girls end up taking. Everything is very sweet-natured, especially when played out against a backdrop of rolling green hills, chuffing steam engines and knee-high socks tucked into Wellington boots. There's no comment on the effects of war as such, instead this film is more about the reasons why we make choices in life. --Paul Tonks
Spot and his friends are excitedly making preparations on Christmas Eve. When tow reindeer ask Spot for his help to find Santa's special Christmas sleigh everyone joins in the hunt. Spot manages to find the sleigh and the reindeer take him on a magical ride. On Christmas Day there's even an extra special surprise under the tree! Best on the best-selling books by Eric Hill.
Lord and Lady Braunceston are the impoverished landed gentry. 'Uncle Willy' is the eccentric Bishop whose church is threatened by greedy developers. Lady Anne is the daughter of the family and it's her impending marriage to the son of a wealthy neighbour which promises to be the salvation of the whole family... ... until the Bishop excels himself by managing to marry her to a penniless American at the wedding rehearsal. Things are looking black for everyone - then Ormiston the l
Two more mysteries for the detective Sherlock Holmes to solve! The Musgrave Ritual: Holmes and Watson are staying with Reginald Musgrave at Hurlstone Manor. During their stay the butler disappears after he has been dismissed for prying into family documents examining details of the Musgrave ritual. Then when Rachel the housemaid vansihes Holmes begins to employ his deductive powers. The Abbey Grange: When Sir Eustace Brackenstall is bludgeoned to death in his dinning room Holmes is called in. After interviewing Lady Mary Sir Eustace's wife who herself was assaulted in the attack Holmes concludes that it is the work of the notorious Lewisham gang and hands the matter over to the local constabulary. But on the way back to London something is nagging in Holmes mind...
The Land Before Time: In a long-ago age of rumbling volcanoes and perilous earthquakes a young bracheosaurus named Little Foot suddenly finds himself on his own. Setting to find the lush feeding grounds of the legendary Great Valley he meets up with four other young dinosaurs who agree to join his quest. On their daring trek across a landscape filled with excitement and danger the brave little band encounters hungry predators and daunting challenges as they discover new lessons in life and the importance of teamwork. Presented by Steven Spielberg and George Lucas with direction by Don Bluth The Land Before Time is a brilliantly imaginative delightfully animated tale of friendship loyalty and love certain to capture the hearts of viewers young and old. (Dir. Don Bluth 1988) Land Before Time 2: The Great Valley Adventure Everybody's favourite prehistoric pals are back! Join Littlefoot Cera Spike Ducky and Petrie in this delightful all-new feature-length movie. It's an exciting treat filled with original songs brilliant animation and the beloved dinosaurs from the family classic The Land Before Time. The enchanting tale continues in the beautiful peaceful Great Valley where Littlefoot and his plant-eating friends live and play under the watchful eyes of their parents. But when mischievous Cera coaxes the group into the forbidden 'Mysterious Beyond' they soon find themselves in big trouble! The excitement begins when they encounter two egg-snatching struthiomimuses named Ozzie and Strut a thundering landslide a pair of ferocious Sharpteeth and most amazing at all a mysterious egg that's just about to hatch! In the course of their surprising adventure Littlefoot and company learn just how hard it is to be a grown up - and how nice it is to be a kid! - in this captivating story of hope love and trust. (Dir. Roy Allen Smith 1994) The Land Before Time 3: The Time Of The Great Giving Join your favourite prehistoric pals Littlefoot Cera Ducky Spike and Petrie - plus three mischievous new dinosaurs - for another exciting adventure in The Land Before Time. This heartwarming tale features dazzling animation sparkling new songs written by Amanda McBroom (The Rose) and Michelle Brourman and a memorable message about cooperation and team spirit. A huge meteorite has plunged into the Great Valley cutting off the water supply and causing tension among the once-peaceful dinosaurs. Eager to help Littlefoot and his friends search for more water and find a large pool trapped between the Great Valley and the 'Mysterious Beyond' home of the dreaded Sharpteeth! The adventure unfolds as the youngsters tangle with neighbour dinosaur bullies dodge a fierce fire and encounter angry velociraptors. Even though danger seems close at hand Littlefoot learns together with family and friends that when you work together you can move mountains. This colorful song-filled story will charm children and grown-ups alike with its hopeful upbeat theme of sharing and caring set against the lush backdrop of a fantastic primeval world. (Dir. Roy Allen Smith 1995)
Gillies MacKinnon's highly praised adaptation of Pat Barker's novel is a moving and powerful study of war and its devastating effects. Set in a military hospital during World War I the film tells of a real life encounter between army psychologist Dr William Rivers and the poet Siegfried Sassoon who has been institutionalised in an attempt to undermine his public disapproval of the war. It also concerns young poet Wilfred Owen who whith support from Sassoon begins to write his great war poems. Rivers whose duty it is to return shell-shocked officers to the trenches is tormented by the morality of what is being done in the name of medicine especially the treatment of working-class officer Billy Prior who has been struck dumb by the carnage he has witnessed.
They're close mates but not that close! To take advantage of newly leglislated tax laws two 'very straight' old timers (Hogan and Caton) have to learn how to pass as a loving gay couple after falsely claiming same-sex status!
Land Girls: It'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'. Three beautiful women answer the call. Stella Ag and Prue arrive from their very different backgrounds at a remote farm in Dorset where they meet handsome and volatile Joe. An extraordinary story of tragedy and passion unfolds as the three girls form close friendships with each other and with Joe. The Land Girls is one of the most exhilarating films of recent years which is both hilarious and deeply moving. Charlotte Gray: Set in Nazi-occupied France at the height of World War II Charlotte Gray tells the compelling story of a young Scottish woman working with the French Resistance in the hope of rescuing her lover a missing RAF pilot. Emma's War: Australia 1942. The Japanese are bombing Sydney. Anne driven to the bottle by sheer terror of the war and the absence of her husband takes her two young children Emma and Laurel to begin a new and safe life in the mountains. The war that faces the family in the mountains is something else.....
Children will enjoy a new way of learning with these four wonderful Spot programmes. Each fifteen-minute episode introduces basic educational concepts to the viewer in a simple yet entertaining way. Active involvement is encouraged through looking listening and repetition. Episodes comprise: 1. Spot's Alphabet 2. Spot's First Word Game 3. Spot Looks At Colours 4. Spot Looks At Shapes
This flamboyant extravaganza tells the scandalous tale of superstar composer Franz Liszt''s (Roger Daltry) hedonistic life of groupies sex and music as well as his rivalry with the scheming Richard Wagner (Paul Nicholas). After enjoying the fruits of his celebrity Liszt tries to find true love with one of his mistresses Princess Caroline. The Pope (Ringo Starr) forbids their marriage and Liszt attempts to adopt a monastic lifestyle. The vampiric Wagner marries Liszt''s daughter Cosima and then battles for world domination by unleashing the Viking God Thor (Rick Wakeman) and his troupe of robot Nazis. The only way to save the world is through Liszt and all of his mistresses in a rocket ship to destroy the resurrected Wagner who has now become the Nazi Antichrist. A freewheeling outrageous and over-the-top look at the life of the world''s first pop superstar.
Your senses will never be the same! This classic rock opera is brought energetically to life by an outstanding cast including many stars of the rock music industry. Told through the remarkable music of The Who this is the story of Tommy who when just a boy of six witnessed the murder of his father by his mother (Ann-Margaret) and her lover (Oliver Reed). They command him ""You didn't hear it you didn't see it and you won't say anything to anyone.."" As a result the traumatised boy retreats into the shadows of his mind and becomes deaf dumb and blind. Growing into manhood Tommy (Roger Daltrey) is subjected to several bizarre cure attempts by the Acid Queen (Tina Turner) the preacher (Eric Clapton) and the Specialist (Jack Nicholson). In spite of his handicap Tommy defeats the Pinball Wizard (Elton John) and becomes the champ attaining a devoted following. When he is finally cured he is hailed by his fans as a ""Messiah"".
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