"Director: Alan Parker"

• Angelas Ashes | DVD | (08/09/2008) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

  In 1935, when it is more common for Irish families to leave their famine-stricken country for America, the impoverished McCourt family do the reverse.

• Angela's Ashes / Stepmom / Billy Elliott | DVD | (03/10/2005) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Angela's Ashes (Dir. Alan Parker 1999): Angela's Ashes the Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir comes to life in this stirring film from acclaimed director Alan Parker (Evita) starring Academy Award-nominee Emily Watson (Breaking The Waves) and Robert Carlyle (The Full Monty). Life in impoverished Depression-era Ireland holds little promise for young Frank McCourt the oldest son in a tightly knit family. Living by his wits cheered by his irrepressible spirit and sustained by his mother's fierce love Frank embarks on an inspiring journey to overcome the poverty of his childhood and reach the land of his dreams: America. Stepmom (Dir. Chris Columbus 1998): Jackie (Susan Sarandon) is a divorced mother of two. Isabel (Julia Roberts) is the career minded girlfriend of Jackie's ex-husband Luke (Ed Harris) forced into the role of unwelcome stepmother to their children. It is the universal dilemma of the 'non-traditional family' they all love the children but the complex interplay between parents step-parents step-children ex-spouses and significant others is decidedly tricky. But when Jackie discovers she is ill both women realise they must put aside their differences to find a common ground and celebrate life to the fullest while they have the chance. Billy Elliot (Dir. Stephen Daldry 1998): Starring Julie Walters and newcomer Jamie Bell the film (based on a real-life story) follows the progress of little Billy Elliot a motherless 11 year-old from a poor Durham pit village. When young Billy chooses ballet classes over boxing lessons his life is changed forever. He decides to keep the lessons secret from his father a coal miner but when his ballet instructor persuades him to try out for the Royal Ballet School in London Billy must make the choice between family responsibilities and his dreams...

• The Commitments (Special Edition) | DVD | (14/03/2005) from £12.99   |  Saving you £-3.00 (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

• Birdy | DVD | (17/04/2000) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Based on William Wharton's transcendent novel of the same name, this film is about many things: friendship, war, and, of course, birds. The framing device is an effort by a horribly scarred combat soldier (Nicolas Cage) to break through to his best friend, Birdy (Matthew Modine), hospitalised after seemingly being driven mad by fighting in the Vietnam War. Cage then flashes back to their boyhood, where Birdy, a canary aficionado, was considered the school weirdo but managed to be a solid companion none the less. Directed by Alan Parker, it works best as a coming-of-age story, but misses the bizarre psychological transferences of the book, in which Birdy imagines himself within the world of canaries he creates in his bedroom at his parents' house. Modine is fine as an out-of-it misfit enraptured by his own little universe. --Marshall Fine

• Status Quo - Hello Quo | DVD | (29/10/2012) from £3.98   |  Saving you £16.01 (402.26%)   |  RRP £19.99

  With 128 million worldwide album sales already under their collective belts, two OBE awards, a million neon lit 'Sold Out' signs, a record 108 appearances on Top of the Pops, this will never be beaten or even equalled! You'd think that HRH Prince Charles favourite band had nothing more to prove in the field of entertainment... But, they've never in all their long and glorious history been seen on a cinema screen...

• The Irish Film Collection | DVD | (24/11/2014) from £58.99   |  Saving you £-34.00 (N/A%)   |  RRP £24.99

  Collection of five classic Irish films. In 'In the Name of the Father' (1993), Daniel Day-Lewis plays Belfast wideboy and petty crook Gerry Conlon, who, along with his father (Pete Postlethwaite) and two friends, is forced into a false confession claiming responsibility for bombing a soldiers' pub in 1974. In 'Angela's Ashes' (1999), Alan Parker directs and co-scripts this big screen adaptation of Frank McCourt's best-selling quasi-autobiographical book. Although born in Brooklyn in 1935, Fra.

• Bugsy Malone | DVD | (03/12/2001) from £14.98   |  Saving you £-4.99 (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

  New York, 1929: a war rages between two rival gangsters, Fat Sam and Dandy Dan in Alan Parker's much-loved kiddie mob flick.

• Commitments, the / the Van | DVD | (04/08/2010) from £20.00   |  Saving you £-13.01 (N/A%)   |  RRP £6.99

  The Commitments: Dubliner Jimmy Rabbitte is a man with a vision - to bring soul music to Dublin. His friends Derek and Outspan ask him to manage their band and Jimmy agrees but only on his terms. He places an ad in the local paper which simply reads have you got soul? If so the World's Hardest Working Band is looking for you. And so were born The Commitments... However all does not go smoothly and soon their success on stage is overshadowed by their off-stage rivalry. The Van: The third installment of Irish author Roddy Doyle's 'Barrytown Trilogy' depicts the hilarious yet poignant adventures of Bimbo. Upon being fired from his job at the bakery Bimbo and his best mate go into business for themselves and purchase a chipper (a fish and chips van); but will the pressures of financial success sour their friendship forever?

• Papillon / Midnight Express / Missing | DVD | (03/10/2005) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Papillon (Dir. Franklin J. Schaffner 1973): They called him Papillon meaning butterfly. If only he had wings to go with the name. Unable to fly Henri Charriere virtually willed himself free. He persisted until he did the impossible: escape Devil's Island. Based on Charriere's bestseller and shot in Spain and Jamaica Franklin J. Schaffner's film of Papillon united two stars at key career junctions. After a decade of fine work in The Great Escape The Sand Pebbles and Bullitt Steve McQueen found in Charriere another ideal tough-guy role. Coming off The Graduate Midnight Cowboy and Little Big Man Dustin Hoffman again distinguished himself as Dega Charriere's scruffy friend. Midnight Express (Dir. Alan Parker 1973): Brad Davis and John Hurt star in this riveting true story of a young American's nightmarish experiences in a Turkish prison and his unforgettable journey to freedom. Busted for attempting to smuggle hashish out of Istanbul American College student Billy Hayes (Davis) is thrown into the city's most brutal jail. After suffering through four years of sadistic torture and inhuman conditions Billy is about to be released when his parole is denied. Only his inner courage and the support of a fellow inmate (Hurt) give him the strength to catch the Midnight Express (prison code for escape). Missing (Dir. Costa Gavras 1982): Director Constantin Costa-Gavras made his English-language film debut with this political thriller based on a true story. Although the nation depicted is never named directly the action clearly takes place in Chile after the military coup. Missing centers around the disappearance of Charles Horman (John Shea) an American expatriate who lives with his wife Beth (Sissy Spacek) in South America. One night armed soldiers enter their home and drag him away. In desperation Beth decides to contact Charles's father Ed (Jack Lemon) and ask for help. In contrast to his left-wing daughter-in-law Ed is staunchly patriotic. But as he gets the runaround from both American and Chilean officials Ed receives a cold hard lesson in political reality... and learns some ugly truths about US involvement in Latin America.

• Evita/Les Miserables/Gypsy | DVD | (14/11/2005) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Evita (Dir. Alan Parker 1996): Eva Peron (Madonna) was born the illegitimate daughter of a penniless farmer. Determined to make it to the top Eva attaches herself to a poplar tango singer (Jimmy Nail) in the big city. Eva becomes a radio and film actress moving in influential circles within Buenos Aires society. When she becomes involved with rising politician Juan Peron (Jonathan Pryce) the establishment disapproves and he is arrested. Eva fights on the freedom both for her husband and the oppressed masses. Peron is freed by the people the couple marries and Peron is elected president. But Eva's greatest battle is yet to come. Les Miserables (Dir. Bille August 1998): Based on Victor Hugo's classic novel this is an epic tale of love honour and obsession against the dramatic background of the French Revolution. Jean Valjean (Liam Neeson) lives a life on the run for stealing a loaf of bread. Settling in a remote town he devotes himself to the care of the poor including the beautiful young and poverty stricken Fantine (Uma Thurman). When Fantine dies she leaves a daughter Cosette (Claire Danes) who Valjean raises. But they are haunted by Javert (Geoffrey Rush) a policeman whose lifelong search for Valjean has become an obsession. A hunt begins that will come to a final confrontation on the revolution torn streets of Paris. Gyspy (Dir. Emile Ardolino 1993): It's Emmy Grammy and Golden Globe-winner Bette Midler in the role she was born to play. The superstar of Beaches Ruthless People Down & Out in Beverly Hills and For the Boys delivers a standing room only performance as Mama Rose the ultimate vaudeville stage mother. Rose's blind ambition for her two daughters forces one to desert her and the other to emerge as the world's most famous striptease artist - Gypsy Rose Lee. Based on the actual memoirs of Ms. Lee and directed by the late Emile Ardolino (Sister Act Dirty Dancing) this musical motion picture extravaganza is true to the original Broadway production... including the glorious Jerome Robbins choreography and the memorable Jule Styne/Stephen Sondheim score. The classics are all here - from Everything's Coming Up Roses to Let Me Entertain You and as a special bonus the complete version of Gypsy's classic overture. Spectacular performances by Ms. Midler and her supporting cast - Peter Riegert Cynthia Gibb (as the legendary Gypsy Rose Lee) and Ed Asner - will leave you asking for an encore!

• Midnight Express/The China Syndrome/The Odessa File | DVD | (06/09/2004) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £14.99

  Midnight Express: Brad Davis and John Hurt star in this riveting true story of a young American's nightmarish experiences in a Turkish prison and his unforgettable journey to freedom. Busted for attempting to smuggle hashish out of Istanbul, American College student Billy Hayes (Davis) is thrown into the city's most brutal jail. After suffering through four years of sadistic torture and inhuman conditions, Billy is about to be released when his parole is denied. Only his inner courage ...

• Bugsy Malone | UMD | (30/01/2006) from £13.48   |  Saving you £-3.49 (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

• The Commitments (Special Edition) | DVD | (08/02/2006) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  This is based on the first story of Roddy Doyle's 'Barrytown Trilogy'. Dubliner Jimmy Rabbitte is a man with a vision - to bring soul music to Dublin. His friends Derek and Outspan ask him to manage their band and Jimmy agrees but only on his terms. He places an ad in the local paper which simply reads have you got soul? If so the World's Hardest Working Band is looking for you. And so were born The Commitments... However all does not go smoothly and soon their success on stage is overshadowed by their off-stage rivalry. This is one of the best Irish feel-good movies of the early 1990's it is guaranteed to have you laughing cringing and singing along. Watch out for the bit parts and cameos by Andrea and Jim Corr and the man himself Alan Parker. Strong soul music soundtrack.

• Pink Floyd - The Wall | DVD | (02/06/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

  By any rational measure, Alan Parker's cinematic interpretation of Pink Floyd's The Wall is a glorious failure. Glorious because its imagery is hypnotically striking, frequently resonant and superbly photographed by the gifted cinematographer Peter Biziou. And a failure because the entire exercise is hopelessly dour, loyal to the bleak themes and psychological torment of Roger Waters' great musical opus, and yet utterly devoid of the humour that Waters certainly found in his own material. Any attempt to visualise The Wall would be fraught with artistic danger, and Parker succumbs to his own self-importance, creating a film that's as fascinating as it is flawed. The film is, for better and worse, the fruit of three artists in conflict--Parker indulging himself, and Waters in league with designer Gerald Scarfe, whose brilliant animated sequences suggest that he should have directed and animated this film in its entirety. Fortunately, this clash of talent and ego does not prevent The Wall from being a mesmerising film. Boomtown Rats frontman Bob Geldof (in his screen debut) is a fine choice to play Waters's alter ego--an alienated, "comfortably numb" rock star whose psychosis manifests itself as an emotional (and symbolically physical) wall between himself and the cold, cruel world. Weaving Waters's autobiographical details into his own jumbled vision, Parker ultimately fails to combine a narrative thread with experimental structure. It's a rich, bizarre, and often astonishing film that will continue to draw a following, but the real source of genius remains the music of Roger Waters. --Jeff Shannon

• The Irish Collection | DVD | (09/03/2009) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £16.33

  Far And Away (1992): Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman star in this critically acclaimed romantic adventure from director Ron Howard. This breathtaking epic opens on the West Coast of Ireland 1892. Joseph Donelly (Cruise) a poor tenant farmer is determined to bring justice to an oppressive landlord. Instead he finds himself accompanying the landlord's daughter Shannon (Kidman) to America in a quest for land. Arriving in Boston Joseph finds a place for them to live while proving a natural at bare-fisted boxing. But his triumph is short-lived as he and Shannon are thrown out into the bitter cold. Joseph sets off for work on the railroad until a passing wagon train reminds him of his original goal to possess his own land. Preparing to stake his claim in the new territory he runs into Shannon who is unhappily reunited with her former fianc''e. In the excitement of the Oklahoma land rush they realise their dreams of land and life together in this satisfying grand-scale adventure that has been called a wondrous epic! The Boxer (1997): When Danny Flynn (Daniel Day-Lewis) returns to his Belfast neighbourhood after 14 years in prison all he wants is to find peace resume his career and reclaim the love of the woman who has remained etched in his mind. As they slowly embrace the possibilities of renewed romance they realise cultural taboos stand in the way and fighting for love could cost them their lives. Angela's Ashes (1999): Angela's Ashes the Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir comes to life in this stirring film from acclaimed director Alan Parker starring Academy Award-nominee Emily Watson and Robert Carlyle. Life in impoverished Depression-era Ireland holds little promise for young Frank McCourt the oldest son in a tightly knit family. Living by his wits cheered by his irrepressible spirit and sustained by his mother's fierce love Frank embarks on an inspiring journey to overcome the poverty of his childhood and reach the land of his dreams: America. Circle Of Friends is a story of first love first kisses and first betrayals. Three girlhood friends are re-united in college ready to experience life to the fullest. Eve an orphan quiet and observant; Nan socially and sexually precocious; and Benny (Minnie Driver) a modest self-conscious dreamer. It doesn't take long for them all in their exciting new world to meet men and fall in love. But Benny unsure of herself and scared of rejection follows her heart out on a limb for the brightest best-looking boy on the campus (Chris O'Donnell). Will her shyly adventurous spirit be rewarded? One thing is sure. Whatever happens in affairs of the heart Benny will always rely on the people she loves and the people who love her in her Circle Of Friends.

• The Commitments | DVD | (31/10/2005) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £15.99

  This is based on the first story of Roddy Doyle's 'Barrytown Trilogy'. Dubliner Jimmy Rabbitte is a man with a vision - to bring soul music to Dublin. His friends Derek and Outspan ask him to manage their band and Jimmy agrees but only on his terms. He places an ad in the local paper which simply reads have you got soul? If so the World's Hardest Working Band is looking for you. And so were born The Commitments... However all does not go smoothly and soon their success on stage is overshadowed by their off-stage rivalry. This is one of the best Irish feel-good movies of the early 1990's it is guaranteed to have you laughing cringing and singing along. Watch out for the bit parts and cameos by Andrea and Jim Corr and the man himself Alan Parker. Bonus CD Tracklisting: 1. Mustang Sally - Andrew Strong 2. Take Me to the River - Andrew Strong 3. Chain of Fools - Angeline Ball 4. Dark End of the Street - Andrew Strong 5. Destination: Anywhere - Niamh Kavanagh 6. I Can't Stand the Rain - Angeline Ball 7. Try a Little Tenderness - Andrew Strong 8. Treat Her Right 9. Do Right Woman Do Right Man - Niamh Kavanagh 10. Mr. Pitiful - Andrew Strong 11. I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You) - Maria Doyle 12. In the Midnight Hour - Andrew Strong 13. Bye Bye Baby - Maria Doyle 14. Slip Away

• Hairspray/Evita/The Phantom Of The Opera | DVD | (06/10/2008) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Hairspray (Dir. Adam Shankman) (2007): It's 1962 and change is in the air in Baltimore. Tracy Turnblad a girl with big hair and big dreams has only one passion in life - to dance on The Corny Collins Show. When her chance arrives she grooves her way into instant stardom and the eyes of teen dream Link Larkin (Zac Efron). But with the program's scheming stage manager (Michelle Pfeiffer) against her trend-setting Tracy will need the help of her best friend Penny (Amanda Bynes) her big-hearted mother (John Travolta) and sassy co-host Motormouth Maybelle (Queen Latifah) to show the world that all it takes to make a dream come true is a toe-tappin' beat and a little Hairspray! The Phantom Of The Opera (Dir. Joel Schumacher) (2004): This film tells the story of a disfigured musical genius who haunts the catacombs beneath the Paris Opera House waging a reign of terror over its occupants. When he falls fatally in love with the lovely young soprano Christine the Phantom devotes himself to creating a new star for the Opera. The stage musical sensation is magically and hauntingly transformed by director Joel Schumacher into a lavish film production sweeping audiences to new heights of sight and sound grandeur. Gerard Butler (as the Phantom) Emmy Rossum (as Christine) and Patrick Wilson (as Raoul) play out the fateful love triangle that unfurls in splendor suspense. Evita (Dir. Alan Parker) (1996): Eva Peron (Madonna) was born the illegitimate daughter of a penniless farmer. Determined to make it to the top Eva attaches herself to a poplar tango singer (Jimmy Nail) in the big city. Eva becomes a radio and film actress moving in influential circles within Buenos Aires society. When she becomes involved with rising politician Juan Peron (Jonathan Pryce) the establishment disapproves and he is arrested. Eva fights on the freedom both for her husband and the oppressed masses. Peron is freed by the people the couple marries and Peron is elected president. But Eva's greatest battle is yet to come.