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Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets [HD DVD] [2002]

starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Maggie Smith, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Kenneth Branagh
directed by: Chris Columbus

November 12, 2007

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A Night To Remember / The Making Of A Night To Remember [1958]

starring: Kenneth More, Ronald Allen, Robert Ayres, Honor Blackman, Anthony Bushell
directed by: Roy Ward Baker

September 14, 1998
Don't be conned by the lie that it includes "The Making of..." - which is the only reason I bought it as I already own an earlier DVD - but it contains no extras whatsoever! The cover also carries a circular sticker "Starring GERALD BUTLER from 300" - also rubbish, unless he was an uncredited extra. That said, the film is as haunting as when I first saw it aged 12, and infinitely superior to Cameron's "Titanic". it's also been transferred from an excellent print, though the sound is a little tinny.

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Shaka Zulu [1986]

starring: Edward Fox, Robert Powell, Trevor Howard, Fiona Fullerton, Christopher Lee
directed by: William C. Faure

June 28, 2004
A true must see mini series! I remember seeing this when it first come out and seeing it now is truly a blast from the past. Henry Cele is excellent as Shaka and I was most dissapointed when I recieved the box set to see that all the pictures on the back are only of the white actors. Even Christopher Lee, who truly has a minor role, gets his picture on the back but Henry Cele, who only plays the leading character in the series, only gets his name on the back and it's about 5 in line!! Credit needs to be given where crdit is due! Disgracefull indeed but don't let this example of film industry racism put you off from seeing a truly remarkable story.

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Payroll [1961]

starring: Michael Craig, Françoise Prévost, Billie Whitelaw, William Lucas, Kenneth Griffith
directed by: Sidney Hayers

February 11, 2008
What a great discovery this film turned out to be.
Never heard of it. Took a chance. Bingo.
Earthy Newcastle locations, fabulous b/w photography, great pace, wonderful performances and a fine, realistic script.
Director Sidney Havers went on to direct many of the best episodes of THE AVENGERS.
The DVD transfer is close to HD. On a 40" HD TV it looks so sharp and the greyscale tones are deep and beautiful.
This one makes me curious about the quality of other Optimum DVD releases.
Shame there is no trailer. Would have been cool to see how this gem was pitched, but the bottom line is, this is one terrific feature on a marvelous digital transfer that MUST have been taken from the original negative to make it look this good.

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Oliver! [1968]

starring: Ron Moody, Shani Wallis, Oliver Reed, Harry Secombe, Mark Lester
directed by: Carol Reed

February 06, 2006
You know this classic story by now of the boy who asked for more...Oliver Twist played touchingly in the best version on celluloid by Mark Lester...He is one of many workhouse orphans lead by the authoritarian Mr Bumble (Harry Secombe) who decides to sell Oliver to a local Funeral Director in the form of (Leonard Rossiter) of Rising Damp fame. Oliver escapes from here after a fight only to find himself making his way to 19th Century London where he befriends "The Artful Dodger" (Jack Wild) a steetwise pick pocket who takes Oliver for shelter to the affable professional pick pocket Fagin (Ron Moody) whose role probably will be remembered for a most fantastic performance. Here Oliver comes to know Fagin in an touching way.Oliver learns of his past with fate determining ... Read More:

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Lucky Jim [1957]

starring: Ian Carmichael, Terry-Thomas, Hugh Griffith, Sharon Acker, Jean Anderson
directed by: John Boulting

August 09, 2004
I sat down with great anticipation to watch this film. I was hoping for a 'Brideshead Revisited' experience, but it was more like 'Please Sir!' Lucky Jim is one of my all-time favourite books - and my kids' too. The film does not do justice to the book in any way; perhaps the time is right for someone to attempt a proper dramatisation of the book, with its subtle portrayal of character, its dry humour, its incomparable wit. Don't get me wrong, this film is funny; it has several genuine belly laughs, which is more than you get at the cinema these days, but it's mostly a slapstick, broad humour that is more Carry-On than the intellectual gymnastics of the original work . Ian Carmichael is surprisingly attractive in this film (he reminded me of Mike Myers!) -but again, not ... Read More:

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Genevieve -- Special Edition [1953]

starring: Dinah Sheridan, John Gregson, Kay Kendall, Kenneth More, Geoffrey Keen
directed by: Henry Cornelius

November 12, 2001
Lust, jealousy, ruthless conniving...and that's for starters. No, this isn't a Lana Turner and John Garfield film. This is Genevieve, one of the greatest of the classic English comedies from the late Forties and early Fifties. The movie is witty, warming and, above all else, funny.

Genevieve is a 1904 Darrocq roadster, driven by the ordinarily levelheaded young barrister, Alan McKim (John Gregson), on the London to Brighton and back annual antique car rally. By his side is his indulgent and sometimes exasperated wife, Wendy (Dinah Sheridan). Joining him in a 1904 Stryker is Alan's best friend, the irrepressible Ambrose Claverhouse (Kenneth More). Joining Ambrose is the beautiful creature he hopes to have an emotional experience with overnight in Brighton, the ... Read More:

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Who Dares Wins [1982]

starring: Lewis Collins; Judy Davis; Richard Widmark; Edward Woodward; Robert Webber; Tony Doyle; John Duttine; Kenneth Griffith; Rosalind Lloyd; Ingrid Pitt; Norman Rodway; Maurice Roëves; Bob Sherman; Albert Fortell; Mark Ryan
directed by: Ian Sharp

January 06, 2003
This is actually a pretty bad film. The ideology is not as perverse as in those films Collins made later. However, my main misgivings about the film are that it is implausible and quite frankly boring for a long time. The whole concept of an ex-SAS man joining terrorists for no particular reason isn't very convincing and you can't help wondering why a group of highly organized terrorists (who later become pretty clueless) fall for it. The film starts with a pretty powerful scene but then meanders for quite a long time building up towards the great finale. Overall, I think Who dares wins could have been an interesting 45 minutes episode of The Professionals but the story doesn't carry a feature film. Although reasonably successful at the time this film initiated the demise of Collins' ... Read More:

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Carry On Loving [1970]

starring: Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey, Joan Sims, Hattie Jacques
directed by: Gerald Thomas

July 07, 2003
carry on loving and the year is 1970,a new ethos as i understand had creeped into a new decade,a new social train of thought had blossomed ,those who lived the 70s first hand will say that this was a great and hip time,the swinging 70s indeed and carry on loving embraced that with open arms in my humble opinion.
Carry on loving explores dating agencies,sid james and hattie jacques have a facade where they own a dating company and pretend they are man and wife when they aint,throughout the film a series of customers ask for help to find a partner and the mishaps roll out in all their glory,the cast here is brilliant again ,no babs though which is a shame as she would have enjoyed this film,nevertheless,terry scott excels as a man who wants to find a wife,he has the attitude of the ... Read More:

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Something Wild [1986]

starring: Jeff Daniels, Melanie Griffith, George 'Red' Schwartz, Leib Lensky, Tracey Walter
directed by: Jonathan Demme

January 06, 2003
This is one of my favourite films of all time. It's got a strong story, clever direction and three truly great performances from Jeff Daniels, Melanie Griffiths and the superb Ray Liotta. It's both a road movie and a genuinely chilling thriller. I first saw it when it came out in the '80s and I still can't believe it isn't more widely known outside of Jonathan Demme fan circles. What a bargain for less than the price of a fish supper!