New Releases

• Fantasia 2000 - Platinum Edition | Blu Ray | (28/03/2011) from £9.99   |  Saving you £13.00 (130.13%)   |  RRP £22.99

  More ambitious in scope than any of its other animated films (before or to come), Disney's 1940 Fantasia was a dizzying, magical, and highly enjoyable marriage of classical music and animated images. Fantasia 2000 features some breathtaking animation and storytelling, and in a few spots soars to wonderful high points, but it still more often than not has the feel of walking in its predecessor's footsteps as opposed to creating its own path. A family of whales swimming and soaring to Respighi's The Pines of Rome is magical to watch, but ends all too soon; a forest sprite's dance of life, death, and rebirth to Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring too clearly echoes the original Fantasia's Night on Bald Mountain/Ave Maria sequence. But when it's on target, Fantasia 2000 is glorious enough to make you giddy. Hans Christian Andersen's "The Steadfast Tin Soldier" is a perfect narrative set to Shostakovich's Piano Concerto No. 2, and Donald Duck's guest appearance as the assistant to Noah (of ark fame) set to Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance marches is a welcome companion piece (though not an equal) to The Sorcerer's Apprentice, the one original Fantasia piece included here. The high point of Fantasia 2000, though, is a fantastic day-in-the-life sequence of 1930s New York City set to Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue and animated in the style of cartoonist Al Hirschfeld; it's a perfect melding of music, story, and animation. Let's hope future Fantasias (reportedly in the works) take a cue from the best of this compilation. The music is provided by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, conducted by James Levine, interspersed with negligible intros by Steve Martin, Bette Midler, Itzhak Perlman, James Earl Jones, and others. --Mark Englehart

• Ross Kemp - Extreme World | DVD | (28/03/2011) from £14.98   |  Saving you £1.01 (6.74%)   |  RRP £15.99

  Following the success of his award-winning documentaries on Gangs, Afghanistan, the Middle East and the Amazon, in Ross Kemp: Extreme World, Ross shows how international organised crime, terrorists and local criminal networks have created alliances that are destroying the lives of millions around the world. Over five powerful episodes, Ross and his BAFTA award-winning team travel to Mexico, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Pakistan and Chicago to track down, meet and challenge criminals who are responsible for spreading death and mayhem through drug dealing, terrorism, murder and rape. Plus, in a UK-based episode, Ross reveals the grim truth about people trafficking in Britain.

• A Day In The Life - Four Portraits Of Post-war Britain By John Krish | Blu Ray | (28/03/2011) from £18.75   |  Saving you £1.24 (6.61%)   |  RRP £19.99

  John Krish is one of British cinema s best-kept secrets: a master of post-war documentary filmmaking who repeatedly turned his works for sponsors as diverse at the Central Office of Information (COI) and the NSPCC into not just effective non-fiction films but truly stirring cinema to rank alongside the world s greatest directors. A Day in the Life collects together four of his most cherished films: The Elephant Will Never Forget (1953) Our School (1962) They Took Us to the Sea (1961) and I Think They Call Him John (1964). In each of these films richly textured with the details of everyday post-war life Krish combines a deep belief in human beings with a compulsive desire to push the documentary form forward. This essential and critically acclaimed collection is supplemented with an interview with Krish as well as with Krish s rarely seen films I Want to Go to School (1959) and Mr Marsh Comes to School (1961).

• Limelight - Dual Format Edition | Blu Ray | (28/03/2011) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Limelight tells the story of a fading music hall comedian's efforts to help a despondent ballet dancer learn both to walk and feel confident about life again. The highlight of this moving Academy Award-winning film is the classic duet with Chaplin's only real artistic film comedy rival Buster Keaton. This Dual Format Edition (Blu-ray and DVD) features the film restored in HD

• Mad Men - Seasons 1-4 | DVD | (28/03/2011) from £14.99   |  Saving you £55.00 (366.91%)   |  RRP £69.99

  Critically hailed as 'the planet's coolest TV drama' (The Times) Mad Men winner of three consecutive Golden Globes and back-to-back Emmys for Outstanding Drama Series is a darkly humourous look at the incredible advertising minds dictating the American Dream in the late 50s and 60s. Hard drinking chain smoking over-sexed and smoulderingly stylish the Madison Avenue pioneers sell an ideal they are struggling to achieve in their own lives. Mad Men is a sexy stylish and shocking portrait of a time that was anything but innocent. Nothing is as sexy. Nothing is as provocative. Nothing is as it seems. Winner of an incredible thirteen Emmys four Golden Globes and a BAFTA Mad Men is the groundbreaking series that critics are calling one of TV's best ever dramas. Contains all 52 episodes of the four award-winning seasons.

• Top Gear - The Great Adventures 4 | Blu Ray | (28/03/2011) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  The US Road TripThe Top Gear boys are once again let loose in the USA. Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May compare the Mercedes SLS, the Porsche 911 GT3 RS and the Ferrari 458 Italia in an epic road trip up America's east coast. En route, they undertake a series of challenges culminating in a fight to find the fastest way into New York, all in the name of crowning the world's greatest sports car.Middle East SpecialThe three wise men of Top Gear embark on a seasonal road trip as they attempt to recreate a certain famous journey across the Middle East to Bethlehem.They do so in a trio of open top sports cars, each wholly unsuited to the conflict ridden mountains of southern Turkey, the dangerous warzones of Iraq and the searing deserts of Syria. Along the way they test the limits of mechanical and physical endurance as well as asking the vital question, what exactly is myrrh and where do you buy it?As well as featuring almost an additional 10 minutes of this special, the DVD includes an exclusive commentary with James May and the crew.Big Albanian TestBroadcast in the latest Top Gear series, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May head to Albania to test the super luxurious Rolls-Royce Ghost, Bentley Mulsanne and Mercedes S65 AMG. Special Features DVD Extras – Exclusive audio commentary with James May and Crew, deleted scenes.

• Rock And Chips - Five Gold Rings | DVD | (28/03/2011) from £6.99   |  Saving you £11.00 (157.37%)   |  RRP £17.99

  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 Gathering | DVD | (28/03/2011) from £10.36   |  Saving you £5.63 (54.34%)   |  RRP £15.99

  Christina Ricci (Monster) stars in this spine-tingling supernatural thriller about an American backpacker in rural England whose life takes a turn for the worse after a car accident. During recovery she is befriended by a researcher (Stephen Dillane) studying a buried 1st Century church embedded with images of Christ's crucifixion. She begins to have horrific visions of the townspeople and their deaths. Is the town cursed or are her visions spirits from the unearthed church grasping for life? What is uncovered will shock and terrify you!

• Being Human - Complete Series 1-3 Box Set | DVD | (28/03/2011) from £26.99   |  Saving you £8.00 (29.64%)   |  RRP £34.99

  Russell Tovey stars as the lovable George battling with his double identity as a mild-mannered and geeky hospital porter who for one night a month is transformed into a flesh-hungry predatory werewolf. Aidan Turner plays the good-looking and laid-back Mitchell who in contrast to George has the gift of the gab and an easy confidence with the ladies. But he is also a blood-sucking vampire struggling with going cold-turkey from the blood he craves. Completing the flat-share trio is Annie played by Lenora Crichlow a talkative ghost lacking in self-confidence and desperate for company. Annie is still pining after her fianc whom she was due to marry before the fatal accident that left her with her ghostly affliction - and who happens to be the landlord of their flat. Follow the trio as they do their best to live their lives as normally as possible despite their strange and dark secrets. But with unwelcome intruders into their world rumblings about an impending revolution from the vampire underworld and constant threats of exposure - on top of the usual issues faced by young people surrounding love work and mates - the only thing they may be able to rely on in their heightened world is each other.

• Hollywood Singing & Dancing The 1950s | DVD | (28/03/2011) from £12.13   |  Saving you £-2.14 (-21.40%)   |  RRP £9.99

  Academy Award winner Shirley Jones hosts this volume which looks back at the 1950s a decade long considered to be the musical's golden age. Featuring clips from An American In Paris Oklahoma! Gigi and many more this retrospective covers the major studios and stars including Gene Kelly Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe.

• City Island | DVD | (28/03/2011) from £7.40   |  Saving you £8.59 (116.08%)   |  RRP £15.99

  Meet the Rizzos a family that might get along a lot better if only they could tell each other the truth. Dad Vince is the worst offender. But since the prison guard won't even admit that poker night is in fact acting class how's he ever going to explain about his illegitimate son? His daughter works as a stripper when she's supposed to be in college while young Vinnie Jr. has a secret sexual fetish that involves a 24-hour webcam and the family's 300-pound neighbour. Vince's wife Joyce is the family's rock but it's been a year since she enjoyed intimacy with her husband and it's no surprise she thinks poker night spells A-F-F-A-I-R. When former prisoner Tony enters the Rizzos' lives Joyce begins to suspect that the handsome young Tony isn't who Vince says he is. City Island is a funny touching and smart family tale about the secrets of the past catching up with the lies of the present and accepting that nobody's perfect - least of all your loved ones.

• Mad Men Season 4 | Blu Ray | (28/03/2011) from £8.98   |  Saving you £31.01 (345.32%)   |  RRP £39.99

  Mad Men is a compelling insight into the harsh reality of life in the 60s perfectly portrayed through the dealings of a prestigious ad agency in New York's Madison Avenue. This was the era of astonishing sexism homophobia and the last golden years of the guilt free cigarette as mass consumerism took hold and helped form the American dream. This stunning series drips with atmosphere and is a sophisticated no holds barred drama from the producer of The Sopranos.

• The Governor - The Complete First Series | DVD | (28/03/2011) from £20.00   |  Saving you £-0.01 (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Oscar nominee Janet McTeer (Tumbleweeds) stars as Helen Hewitt the youngest woman ever to be placed in charge of an all-male maximum security prison in this hard-hitting drama series written and produced by the multi-award-winning Lynda La Plante (Prime Suspect Widows). The series traces Hewitt's progress following her high-profile appointment as governor of the troubled Barfield Prison which has been partially destroyed by recent rioting. As Barfield is rebuilt Hewitt must fight for the respect of suspicious antagonistic officers counter the threat of renewed violence from a volatile and ever-growing prison population and finally demand the right to implement a more effective new regime. Helen Hewitt has a formidable task and few allies...

• Genius Within | DVD | (28/03/2011) from £15.29   |  Saving you £0.70 (4.58%)   |  RRP £15.99

  An enigmatic musical poet and worldrenowned pianist Glenn Gould continues to captivate twenty-seven years after his untimely death. His inimitable music and writing reveal an insightful worldview that we're still unraveling His use of complex recording technologies including manipulating recordings over dubbing was unprecedented. Though there have been many documentaries about Gould most are distracted by his eccentricities focusing on the pills gloves and scarves while missing the man and message behind the music.

• The Warrior's Way | Blu Ray | (28/03/2011) from £10.75   |  Saving you £14.24 (132.47%)   |  RRP £24.99

  The world's greatest swordsman abandons his warrior clan to start a new life in the American Badlands in The Warrior's Way a visually dazzling modern martial arts adventure with stunningly choreographed fight sequences and gravity-defying stunts. In an original gorgeously realised journey into a mythical past writer and director Sngmoo Lee seamlessly marries the cinematic traditions of East and West. Korean superstar Jang Dong Gun Kate Bosworth Danny Huston and Academy Award winner Geoffrey Rush star in this epic story of revenge and redemption. Yang (Jang Dong Gun) must betray his clan to save his final enemy - a young baby girl. He travels from Asia to a dying gold rush town in the American West where he goes into hiding by working as a lowly laundryman. Yang attempts to put his past behind him while befriending the local eccentrics of the once-thriving town the fiery tempered knife-thrower Lynne (Bosworth) and Ron (Rush) the town drunk with a secret past. When Lynne is threatened by a gang led by a Colonel (Danny Huston) Yang comes out of hiding to protect her and the town with his sword skills and finds himself forced to face the past he was hoping to put behind him.

• Documentary Feature -Flashpoint Berlin 1957-1963 | DVD | (28/03/2011) from £6.73   |  Saving you £-4.74 (N/A%)   |  RRP £1.99

• Land Of The Giants - Series One | DVD | (28/03/2011) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £39.99

  Debuting in 1968 and lasting just two all-too-brief series Land Of The Giants the original science-fiction/adventure series created by sci-fi visionary Irwin Allen has far outlived its initial run. Taking on a remarkable life of its own the show maintained an astonishing degree of popularity spawning worldwide fan clubs newsletters and convention appearance. Now for the first time in the UK the first series on this cult classic comes to DVD in a wonderful 7 disc set which includes some fantastic Special Features!

• The Only Way Is Essex - Series 1 | DVD | (28/03/2011) from £11.98   |  Saving you £10.00 (100.10%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Welcome to world of Essex! In this glamorous reality series you will follow the lives of some of the most glittering characters Essex has to offer. Showing us their real lives; the tears the tantrums and the triumphs. You'll visit the hottest night spots drink the finest champagne cocktails and socialise with Essex's most sensational. There's Mark a self confessed Mr Essex and a serial womaniser. Lauren his on/off ex girlfriend who loves him one minute then can't stand him the next! Will they ever get back together? Meet Amy who dreams of becoming the next Jordan and landing a lucrative modelling contract whilst on the look out for Mr Right... Could that be night club promoter and Mark's business nemesis Kirk? Hang out with Amy's lovable cousin Harry and Sam her best friend and Mark's sometime love interest. Get to know Mark's sister Jess and her girl band Lola - will they ever get that recording deal they're after? Not forgetting the inspirational Nanny Pat with her home-cooked meals and infinite wisdom. Join these and all the other colourful Essex characters who will take you on a journey where a visit to the nail bar and tanning salon is as regular as visiting the supermarket for your weekly shop. The Only Way is Essex where it's all about the glitz glamour and Vajazzle - you'll be seriously jel!

• Ice Road Truckers Season 3 | DVD | (28/03/2011) from £15.44   |  Saving you £-0.45 (-3.00%)   |  RRP £14.99

  Chain up! Season 3 of this gripping HISTORY series gets plenty of traction from its setting, the more than 400-mile gauntlet of terror known as the Dalton Highway. Said to be the most dangerous road in North America, the Dalton has reportedly claimed a life for each of its miles. If the curves don't get you, the narrator intones in a dramatic John Wayne-like drawl, the avalanches will. The drivers, a right-stuff bunch (They don't pay us this much because it's easy, one proclaims), have 12 weeks to deliver more than 6,000 loads to the Prudhoe Bay oil fields before the ice roads thaw. Along with familiar grizzled ice road veterans Hugh and George from the show's first two seasons, season 3 shifts gears with its first female driver, the attractive Lisa Kelly, a motocross champion determined to prove herself as a heavy hauler in this male-dominated profession. The competition between the drivers to see who can make the most runs really takes a back seat to the potential calamities that await beyond every curve and over every steep incline. Pick the wrong gear, you wash out, the narrator cautions, hit the brakes too hard; you end up in a ditch. The road, it is said, never lets up, and neither does Ice Road Truckers. Photos of horrific crashes and computer-generated re-creations of serious accidents amp up the drama, but (spoiler alert), beyond tense moments driving through blinding storms or experiencing equipment malfunctions, the drivers emerge from this punishing season unscathed. Ice Road Truckers will especially appeal to truck enthusiasts who may have grown up with the Road Construction Ahead and There Goes a Truck videos. These drivers do some serious hauling (45,000 pounds is considered a light load) and it is fascinating, for example, to watch how 16-ton pipes are loaded and secured onto a flatbed. A feature film inspired by the series is reportedly in the works, but there's nothing like the real thing. --Donald Liebenson.

• Operation Valkerie | DVD | (28/03/2011) from £5.85   |  Saving you £4.14 (70.77%)   |  RRP £9.99

  July 1944. As WWII raged on a group of conspirators led by Claus von Stauffenberg plotted to assassinate Hitler and end his reign of terror. Using rare color footage painstakingly recreated dramatizations detailed CG reconstructions and exclusive interviews with leading historians this thrilling documentary presents the definitive record of what happened before during and after these pivotal events.