"Actor: Rodney Pearson"

• Class | DVD | (06/01/2003) from £19.39   |  Saving you £-6.40 (N/A%)   |  RRP £12.99

  As rites-of-passage films featuring a young man's sexual initiation in the arms of a beautiful woman go, Class (1983) has plenty going for it, not least its attractive cast: Andrew McCarthy as Jonathan, Rob Lowe as Gatsby-ish best friend Skip and Jacqueline Bisset as the beautiful woman who is old enough to know better and just happens to be Skip's mother. Lewis John Carlino's film has moments of insight, taking a few well-aimed shots at the vaguely sinister network of American public school life. In the first reel it neatly subverts the bullying scenario that threatens when the geekish Jonathan arrives at the school, while offering the briefly intriguing sight of Lowe in scarlet bra and pants. And there's a subplot of deceit and complicity that both strengthens and threatens the friendship that rapidly forms between Skip and Jonathan. In many ways, though, the most interesting element of the picture--Skip's relationship with his dysfunctional family--is left unexplored. Jonathan's deflowering and subsequent interludes are merely titillating. And Bisset's Ellen, a desperately sad character, becomes superfluous once the revelation that she is the "teacher" sets the boys' friendship on the path to fraternal solidarity. On the DVD: Class is presented in widescreen anamorphic format and looks as good as its leading players, although the Dolby Digital mono soundtrack has odd moments of flatness that detract from the cinematic experience. Extras are limited to the cinema trailer that now looks like a red rag to the puritanical objectors who were appalled by the graphic scenes in which Jonathan loses his virginity to the predatory Ellen. --Piers Ford

• Secret Admirer | Blu Ray | (07/03/2023) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

• A Haunting In Connecticut | DVD | (05/04/2009) from £8.07   |  Saving you £4.92 (37.90%)   |  RRP £12.99

  Between the world we see and the things we fear... There are doors. When they are opened... Nightmares become reality Based on true events A Haunting delves into shocking mysteries that plague normal people that are drawn into seemingly unexplainable events spawned from a tragedy that has left behind spirits determined to wreak havoc and have a final say. Ed and Karen Parker rent a rambling old house in Connecticut so they can be near the hospital where their 14 year old son Paul is being treated for cancer. The day they move in they notice crucifixes hanging over the doorways and they find the basement room filled with head tags toe tags coffin keys and religious medals only then do they realise the house is an old funeral parlour. Although they withhold this information from their children Paul makes an ominous announcement; we have to leave her... This house is evil