Jodie Foster stars as a grieving woman determined to track down the men behind her fiance's murder, whatever the cost.
Before he grew up and started to become a serious filmmaker, Robert Zemeckis created arguably the most unashamedly entertaining film trilogy ever with his Back to the Future series. It's here that Zemeckis came closest to emulating his mentor Steven Spielberg, and here, too, that he showed his own talent for combining flashy visual effects and knock-about comedy. The vivacious screenplays, cowritten with Bob Gale, are chock full of forwards and backwards-looking jokes, 1950s nostalgia and wry nods to other movies. Michael J Fox and Christopher Lloyd, both alumni of successful small-screen sitcoms (Family Ties and Taxi respectively), bring a frenetic energy to their roles, but also the warmth and likability needed to carry the audience with them through time. Don't try and unravel the time-travel thread running throughout, as that way lie paradoxes: just accept its inherent absurdity and enjoy the ride. Marty McFly travels from 1985 to 1955 in a souped-up DeLorean sports car (Back to the Future), then forward in time to 2015 and back to 1955 again (Back to the Future II), before going all the way back to the Old West of 1885 (Back to the Future III). Matters become progressively more complicated as actions in the past have repercussions for the future, and vice versa. Marty learns life-lessons and Doc finds love at last; the joyful, helter-skelter pace never slackens for an instant. --Mark Walker On the DVD: Back to the Future travels through time to the DVD era with a three-disc set charting the much-loved trilogy in full, along with an abundance of special features. The real joy in this box set is the "Making of the Trilogy" featurette, which spans the three discs and offers a wealth of information on the films. The deleted scenes have not faired well with age, with the visuals and sound suffering immensely. On Disc One the anecdotes can be played along with the film as subtitles, which is more than can be said for the commentary with Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale recorded at the California University, which is simply a Q & A session--not played along with the movie--and would have been stronger as a filmed special feature. But all in all as three-disc sets go it doesn't get much better than this--and you won't need 1.21 gigawatts of electricity to enjoy it. --Nikki Disney
Hailed as a landmark film that dazzles with deep emotion and exceptional acting, PHILADELPHIA starsTom Hanks and Denzel Washington as two competing lawyers who join forces to sue a prestigious law firm for AIDS discrimination. And as their unlikely friendship develops, their courage overcomes the prejudice and corruption of their powerful adversaries. Special Features: One Foot on a Banana Peel, the Other Foot in the Grave Documentary Courthouse Protest Footage and Interviews Exclusive new documentary People Like Us: Making Philadelphia Original Making-of Featurette Deleted Scenes
Struggling actress Katie McGovern (Mary Steenburgen) is made to believe she has landed an audition for a role replacing an actress with a similar appearance. To record the requested audition tape she is taken to an isolated mansion where she is given the part. Soon Katie begins to realise that there is something much darker than film-making going on. She is held hostage by the disabled Dr. Joseph Lewis (Jan Rubes) and his assistant (Roddy McDowall) and becomes involved in their plot with a ferocious woman whose recently murdered sister looked very like Katie.
Gilbert Grape feels trapped - with no father present and an eccentric family to care for he is struggling to cope. His extremely overweight mother cannot leave the house and his developmentally challenged younger brother Alfie is running riot with his stubborn antics. As much as Gilbert adores Alfie and shares a unique fatherly bond he can be difficult to care for. The only way Gilbert can escape from the confines of his demanding role as head of the house is to run into the arms of an older married woman whom he is having a secret affair - but the relationship is struggling as his mind is always elsewhere. With their home falling apart at the very seams and Gilbert struggling to cope with all the demands his life puts upon him can the enigmatic new girl in town rescue Gilbert Grape and bring some happiness back in to his life? Brilliantly directed by Lasse Hallström (The Cider House Rules Dear John Salmon Fishing in the Yemen) this quirky whimsical and touching drama stars heartthrobs Johnny Depp (Edward Scissorhands Pirates of the Carribean) and Leonardo DiCaprio (The Wolf of Wall Street The Great Gatsby) in one of their best loved roles with DiCaprio receiving a best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for a film that made him a star.
Up-and-coming young lawyer Andrew Beckett (Tom Hanks) has just been fired by his prestigious law firm. They say he hasn't got what it takes. Andrew knows it's because he's got AIDS. Determined to defend his professional reputation Andrew hires fierce brilliant personal-injury attorney Joe Miller (Denzel Washington) to sue his former employers for wrongful dismissal. Joe is initially reluctant to take on the case. Although he as grown up knowing the pain of prejudice he's never had to confront his own prejudices against homosexuality and AIDS...until now. One man is fighting for his reputation his life and for justice. The other is battling to overcome his own and society's ignorance and fear. Philadelphia is one of the most powerful and critically acclaimed movies of our time.
Woody Allen's 1982 homage to Bergman and Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy is a delight from start to finish and must rate as one of his most joyous films. The period setting--Edwardian up state New York--gives the whole thing a misty, elegiac quality. Part Midsummer Night's Dream (the magic supplied by visions through a spirit glass) and part Smiles of a Summer Night (Bergman's source material provides the basic plot and ensuing couplings), it's a gentle satire on male sexuality and frustration. Allen handles the angst with the lightest of touches. He plays a Wall Street broker who spends his holidays inventing flying machines (they work, with telling consequences). He and his wife (Mary Steenburgen) are increasingly depressed by their ailing sex life. Cue the arrival of weekend guests: crusty academic (Jose Ferrer) and beautiful blue-stocking fiancée previously in love with Allen (Mia Farrow, of course); and insatiable doctor (Tony Roberts) with his latest squeeze, a nurse (the excellent Julie Hagerty). Eighty minutes of unravelling, discovery and renewal follow, accompanied by a Mendelssohn sound track. This is one of Allen's most treasurable pictures. On the DVD: A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy is presented in widescreen that recaptures the pleasure which greeted the setting of this most pastoral of Allen's films on its first release; it really does glow with summery light. The standard stereo soundtrack is perfectly acceptable. Extras include the original theatrical trailer and multiple language soundtracks.--Piers Ford
Ebulliently imaginative and far more cleverly presented than you would expect from a TV miniseries, this adaptation of Gulliver's Travels succeeds by never pandering to the lowest common denominator. Closely based on Jonathan Swift's 1726 classic, it is enhanced by dazzling special effects from Jim Henson Productions and a superb, multi-ethnic cast. The biggest surprise is Ted Danson in the title role--one of his best performances, even if he is the only person in England with an American accent. He conveys amusement, amazement and intelligence as he travels from one strange country into another. Not that anyone back in Blighty believes Mr Gulliver's tales of little people or giants. The story is told in flashback from an insane asylum, where he is forcibly confined. This far outshines several previous adaptations of Swift's satirical novel. --Rochelle O'Gorman, Amazon.com
Helmed by the legendary Arthur Penn (BONNIE AND CLYDE, LITTLE BIG MAN) and starring Academy Award winner Mary Steenburgen (MELVIN AND HOWARD), DEAD OF WINTER is a seasonal suspenser par excellence! Loosely inspired by the 1945 classic MY NAME IS JULIA ROSS, this eighties update presents Steenburgen as an aspiring actress who is lured out to a country retreat in Canada, in ice-cold weather, to audition for a well-paid dream job. Unfortunately for her, though, a sinister plan is being unravelled around her which will culminate in entrapment, torment, torture and a blood curdling revelation! Co-featuring Roddy McDowall (PLANET OF THE APES), DEAD OF WINTER is a masterful mix of backwoods malevolence, mistaken identity and heightened horror film tension. There is little denying that DEAD OF WINTER is one of the highlights of the entire 88 Films Slasher Classics catalogue! SPECIAL FEATURES 88 Films Trailer Reel Stills Gallery Reversible sleeve with alternate American poster Artwork
The true story of James Van Praagh the medium many believe opened the door between life and death. Praagh has been haunted by psychic visitations since childhood and although terrified by them he is encouraged by his friend Midge to delve deeper and by his mother - after she dies - to accept his gift as a blessing. But then a criminal investigation forces James to use his powers to solve a 30 year old murder involving seven young boys. Detective Karen Condrin helps him identify the children and they both set about solving the crime allowing the lost boys to continue their path to heaven.
Housesitter: (1992) When architect Newton Davis' girlfriend Becky (Dana Delany) turns down his marriage proposal his newly-built dream house suddenly becomes nothing more than an empty monument to her rejection. That is until a chance encounter with Gwen (Goldie Hawn) turns his life upside-down. Intrigued by Newton's story Gwen visits the house and decides to move in on her own. Resourceful and creative Gwen is soon fixing up the house and charming Newton's family and neighbors - all the while passing herself off as his new wife! Gwen even befriends Becky who begins to see a Newton she never knew existed. Horrified at the deception yet unable to stop it Newton finds himself playing along with her preposterous stories her attempts at reconciling differences within his family and her campaign for his promotion at work. Finally he convinces Gwen to fabricate their ""divorce"" so he can still get married to Becky - until he has a change of heart. Parenthood: (1989) The Buckmans are a modern-day family facing the age-old dilemma of trying to raise children the ""right way"". At the centre of the storm is Gil (Steve Martin) who manages to keep his unique sense of humour while attempting to maintain a successful career and be a loving husband and parent all at the same time. As Gil and the rest of the Buckmans discover being the ""perfect"" parent often means just letting children be themselves. Roxanne: (1987) Small town fire chief CD Bales (Steve Martin) falls madly in love with the new girl in town a gorgeous astronomer (Daryl Hannah). But there's an enormous problem - CD has an amazingly big nose and is convinced that such a beauty could never love a man with such a gargantuan appendage. Roxanne proves him right when she falls for Chris a hunky and good looking fireman. The mayhem continues when CD agrees to ghost-write Chris's love letters in which he pours out his own secret feelings. In this charming modernisation of the Cyrano de Bergerac story will CD's nose (and Chris's body) come between him and true love?
The Film portrays the lives of the Frank family before hiding and during hiding in Nazi Occupied Amsterdam
Starring Maisie Williams 'Game of Thrones and X Men: New Mutants'. Also starring Jessica Biel The Sinner , Jason Sudeikis Horrible Bosses , Orlando Jones American Gods and Mary Steenburgen Back to the Future. Henry (Jason Sudeikis)is a widowed architect who strikes up a friendship with Millie (Maisie Williams), an independent but troubled teen. Hoping to find her long-lost father, Millie asks Henry to build her a raft that can sail across the ocean. After agreeing to do so, the unlikely duo embark on an incredible adventure that deepens their bond and lifts their spirits. This is an inspiring story about hope and self believe. Soundtrack by Justin Timberlake.
Daring, original and utterly genre-busting, "Dead Girl" is a terrifying journey to the dark heart of the American high school generation.
Hudson Milbank (Matthew Perry) is convinced that he's going insane. But he's just met the perfect girl (Lynn Collins The Lake House) and struggles to be his most charming self. Meanwhile he frantically seeks a cure for his anxieties and goes through a string of therapists who turn out to be crazier than him. Co-starring Kevin Pollak (The Usual Suspects) and Mary Steenburgen as a hilarious lusty psychiatrist Numb will warm the heart of anybody who has ever teetered on the edge of a breakdown.
Jason Alexander's vocal performance as the hambone father of Louie, a mute trumpet swan, is quite simply the most entertaining element of Trumpet of the Swan, an animated version of EB White's children's novel. Given to long-winded speeches and flamboyant displays (Alexander's extended "death scene" after his character is nicked on the wing is a hoot), the former George Costanza's hot-air waterfowl partially salvages this oddly unmoving family feature. The story concerns the silent Louie (his thoughts are spoken by actor Jeffrey Schoeny), who suffers the ridicule of other swans but communicates a depth of feeling by playing a brass horn. The restless script has difficulty developing a coherent emotional rise; director Richard Rich (The Swan Princess) would have done well to cut back on the number of discrete episodes that rush by with dizzying, graceless speed. Joe Mantegna signs on as the voice of a big-city scoundrel who signs Louie to an exploitative music contract, while Mary Steenburgen plays Louie's mother, and Reese Witherspoon speaks for the hero's true love. --Tom Keogh, Amazon.com
Sandra Bullock's high-powered executive finds herself in one outrageous situation after another when involved with Ryan Reynolds' kowtowed secretary
Comedy about Carnelle (Hunter) a sexually-loose hellraiser who enters the Miss Firecracker contest in the very old-fashioned town where she was raised Yazoo City Mississippi. Carnelle's not the usual kind of contestant -- but her cousin is a famous winner -- and Carnelle's determined to equal her no matter what the obstacles.
The ancient story of good surviving evil and in particular of one man's faith unshakeable in the face of ridicule scorn and danger. Oscar-winner Jon Voight Mary Steenburgen F. Murray Abraham and James Coburn star in this lavish and original interpretation of Noah's Ark with dazzling special effects computerised creatures depicting extinct species and a cast of thousands of animals all combining to tell the story of the epic Bible legend.
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