DVD Movies
Hamlet (Includes Blu-ray Book)
"Hamlet has the kind of power, energy and excitement that movies can truly exploit," actor/director Kenneth Branagh says. In this first full-text film of William Shakespeare"s play " shot on 65mm film and exhibited in Panavision Super 70, power surges through every scene. The timeless tale of murder, corruption and revenge is reset in a lavish 19th-century world, using sprawling Blenheim Palace as Elsinore and staging mich of the action in mirrored, gold-filled interiors. A landmark cast (Julie Christie, Kate Winslet, Billy Crystal, Robin Williams, Charlton Heston and more), the excitement of the Bard"s words and an energetic filmmaking style lift the story from its often shadowy ambience to fully-lit pageantry and rage.
Related Products
Josie and the Pussy Cats in Outer Space Complete Series (4 DVD Set)
Rock stars Josie and the Pussycats are out of this world¦literally! When the bumbling Alexandra accidentally launches Josie and the gang into outer space, they travel through the galaxy searching for a path back to Earth. Along the way, they meet cat people, robot monsters, evil dictators, space pirates and plenty of strange creatures, including their new companion Bleep, voiced by Hanna-Barbera legend Don Messick. Fortunately, everyone"s a fan of Josie and the Pussycats, including aliens! Rocket through the universe with your favorite superstars as they save the day, sing a song and have a hip-happenin" good time in a 4-Disc, 16-Episode Josie and the Pussy Cats in Outer Space Complete Series Collection that hits all the right notes!
Festival of Family Classics: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea -
This film is an animated version of the Jules Verne classic featuring Captain Nemo in his capable submarine, the Nautilus. ~ Rovi
Island of Love (DVD)
Take three of the funniest, cleverest actors in the movies plop them on a gorgeous, real-life Greek isle and add a feverish plot that involves an ingenious scam, big money, lighthearted romance and a lisping gangster and you have Island of Love. On the lam from the mob boss he fleeced, a conman (Robert Preston in a flim-flam mode recalling his triumph in The Music Man) and his sardonic pal (Tony Randall) end up on Paradeisos. The two Americans promptly hoodwink the world into believing the place is an ancient lost island of love. Tourists flock in and fortunes are made " until the boss (Walter Matthau) shows up, his trigger finger twitching. The sun is bright but the stars shine brighter on this comedic Island of Love.
Jules and Jim - Widescreen
Acclaimed French director Fran?ois Truffaut's third and, for many viewers, best film is an adaptation of a semi-autobiographical novel by Henri-Pierre Roch?. Set between 1912 and 1933, it stars Oskar Werner as the German Jules and Henri Serre as the Frenchman Jim, kindred spirits who, while on holiday in Greece, fall in love with the smile on the face of a sculpture. Back in Paris, the smile comes to life in the person of Catherine (Jeanne Moreau); the three individuals become constant companions, determined to live their lives to the fullest despite the world war around them. When Jules declares his love for Catherine, Jim agrees to let Jules pursue her, despite his own similar feelings; Jules and Catherine marry and have a child (Sabine Haudepin), but Catherine still loves Jim as well. An influential film that has grown in stature over the decades, Jules et Jim was often viewed by the counterculture of the 1960s as a cinematic proponent of the free-love movement, but in actuality the picture is a statement against such a way of life. Despite the bond shared by Jules, Jim, and Catherine, their m?nage ? trois is doomed to fail; and Catherine's inability to choose between the two men leads to tragic consequences for all three. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi
House of Wax (2005) (BD)
House of Wax tells the story of a group of friends who fall prey to a sinister plot while passing through a small town on their way to a college football game.
Wattstax: Special Edition, The (DVD)
On August 20, 1972, more than 100,000 people attended what came to be known as "The Black Woodstock." Wattstax - The Special Edition is the 30th anniversary release of the film that documented that historic event and includes the once-lost original ending featuring Isaac Hayes' performances of "Theme From Shaft" and "Soulsville.
Cell 2455, Death Row (1955)
Based on the autobiographical book by Caryl Chessman, this fictionalized account of how a boy becomes a brutal criminal is both shocking and sensational. William Campbell plays Whit Whittier, who begins with petty crime, escalating to violence, and finally convicted on charges of robbery and rape, is sent to San Quentin"s Death Row. While awaiting execution, Whittier studies law and manages to successfully represent himself in appeal after appeal. The real story of Chessman was controversial for the prosecutor"s use of the Lindbergh kidnap law, in an unorthodox way, resulting in Chessman"s death sentence for crimes that did not amount to murder. A gripping, shocking film, particularly for its time, which explores the problems of juvenile delinquency and the justice system without shying away from controversy. Directed by Fred F. Sears (Earth vs. The Flying Saucers and Rock Around the Clock), with Marian Carr, Kathryn Grant and Vince Edwards. Newly remastered.
The Sleeping Beauty (Sadler's Wells Ballet) - B&W
In this performance of Tchaikovski's symphonic three-act ballet adapted for television and choreographed by Sir Frederick Ashton, Dame Margot Fonteyn, Michael Somes, and Dame Beryl Grey headline as conductor Robert Irving leads the Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
Smallville: The Complete Tenth Season (Blu-ray)
The series that redefines the origins of the world"s greatest hero reaches its powerful conclusion with more revelations, more fascinating characters from DC Comics lore and a mind-blowing, spirit-lifting finale that is everything fans could want. In this 22-Episode Season 10, super heroes emerge from the shadows, only to be driven underground by a public that labels them vigilantes. At the same time, otherworld forces of darkness gather, presenting Clark Kent with the greatest challenge of his young life. The world he calls home and the people he loves " including Lois Lane, who now shares his secret and his life " need a champion. They shall have one. Don"t miss all the hopes, heartaches and heroics of a final season to remember. They will lift you up, up and away.
Beau Geste - Fullscreen Subtitle Dolby
This second of three movie versions of P.C. Wren's adventure novel Beau Geste is a virtual scene-for-scene remake of the 1927 silent version. We open on the now-famous scenes of a remote, burning desert fort, manned by the dead Foreign Legionnaires, then flash back to the early lives of the Geste brothers. As children, the Gestes swear eternal loyalty to one another and to their family. One of the boys, young Beau (played as a youth by Donald O'Connor), witnesses his beloved aunt (Heather Thatcher) apparently stealing a valuable family jewel in order to finance the Geste home; Beau chooses to remain silent rather than disgrace his aunt. Years later, the grown Beau (Gary Cooper) again protects his aunt by confessing to the theft and running off to join the Foreign Legion. He is joined in uniform by faithful brothers John (Ray Milland) and Digby (Robert Preston), who in turn are pursued by a slimy thief (J. Carroll Naish). The crook is in cahoots with sadistic Legion Sgt. Markov (Brian Donlevy, in one of the most hateful portrayals ever captured on celluloid), who is later put in charge of Fort Zinderneuf, where Beau and John are stationed. When the Arabs attack, Markov proves himself a valiant soldier; it is he who hits upon the idea of convincing the Arabs that the fort is still fully manned by propping up the corpses of the casualties at the guard posts. Beau is seriously wounded, and while the greedy Markov searches for the jewel supposedly hidden on Beau's person, he is held at bay by loyal John. The suddenly enervated Beau kills Markov, then dies himself--but not before entrusting two notes to John, one of which requests that John give Beau the "Viking funeral" he'd always wanted (this is why the fort is in flames at the beginning of the film). After the battle, Digby Geste, a bugler with the relief troops, comes upon Beau's dead body, and appropriates the notes. As it turns out, John Geste is the only one who survives to return to England. He gives his aunt Beau's letter, which explains why Beau had confessed and run off--"a 'beau geste', indeed" comments his tearful aunt. No one missed nominal leading lady Susan Hayward in this essentially all-male entertainment. For years available only in muddily processed or truncated versions, Beau Geste was restored to its pristine glory by the American Film Institute in the late 1980s. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Pennies From Heaven (Miniseries) (DVD)
Dennis Potter's masterpiece mini-series follows the adventures, mishaps, and yearnings of a traveling song sheet peddler on a tight commission as he tries to make dreams fit the promises of the lyrics he carries.
Bob Dylan: 1966 World Tour - The Home Movies -
In 1965, Bob Dylan was the reigning king of the new folk music boom, but while he had earned a large and loyal audience playing earnest and elliptical songs of social protest and romantic puzzlement accompanied by his acoustic guitar, he was eager to strike out into new territory, and he shocked fans at that year's Newport Folk Festival by showing up with an electric guitar and a thrown-together rock & roll band. Later that year, Dylan took his joyous outrage on the road, with a tight, but hard-hitting, rock & roll combo, the Hawks, joining him for a series of shows in which the singer and his band (who would later rename themselves the Band) were often confronted by puzzled and vocally angry crowds. Hawks drummer Levon Helm, unhappy with the unfriendly reception, dropped out after a few dates, and after substitute timekeepers Bobby Gregg and Sandy Konikoff both vacated the drummer's seat, Mickey Jones -- a Texan transplanted to Los Angeles who had enjoyed successful gigs with Trini Lopez and Johnny Rivers -- landed the job of joining Dylan and the Hawks for a tour of Europe. A photography buff, Jones brought his home movie camera along with him, and Bob Dylan: World Tour 1966 -- The Home Movies compiles Jones' amateur footage of life on the road and off-stage with Dylan and the Hawks. In addition, Jones shares his memories of the tour, discusses his career before and after working with Dylan, and offers his own observations on what Dylan's music meant to him and to music fans everywhere. The Home Movies includes no musical performances from Bob Dylan; accompaniment for Jones' silent footage is provided by Highway 61 Revisited, a Bob Dylan tribute band. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
All The Marbles (DVD)
The California Dolls are hot, young and dirty (well, muddy). But although the gorgeous tag-team wrestlers may be wallowing in a down-market mud-wrestling bout right now, they have a dream: the championship match at the MGM Grand in Reno. Director Robert Aldrich"s (The Dirty Dozen, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?) last film is a boisterous, body-slammin" blast. The fun comes from the ladies who aim for glory, one takedown at a time; from Peter Falk as the team"s irrepressible manager who battles the odds as ferociously as the girls battle in the ring; and from a grand finale smackdown that will leave you cheering.
Field of Dreams
All music written and conducted by James Horner.Booklet includes Roger Ebert's review of FIELD OF DREAMS.This is the soundtrack to the hit movie about baseball, magic, and fulfilling your dreams. First "discovered" through major airplay on Music from the Hearts of Space, this is great music, drawn out and well-developed, and definitely an integral part of the movie as far as creating atmosphere. A couple of filler pieces do not detract from the overall power of Field of Dreams. ~ Backroads Music/Heartbeats
