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Evita [1997]

starring: Madonna, Antonio Banderas, Jonathan Pryce, Jimmy Nail
directed by: Alan Parker

May 21, 1999
I've never seen Evita on stage, but from watching this film it becomes very obvious that that is where this story belongs, and although certain musicals have translated very well into films ('the Phantom of the Opera' and 'Hairspray' being two that spring immediatley to mind), this is one of those that I feel should have been left on stage. Saying that however, watching this film has made me very keen to see the musical in it's original format one day, and it is just a shame that it is no longer being shown in the West End.

Whenever Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice get togther for a musical, you know you're going to be in for a treat, and no matter what other reservations I have about this film, there is no doubting that musically, ... Read More:

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Still Crazy [1998]

starring: Stephen Rea, Billy Connolly, Jimmy Nail, Timothy Spall, Bill Nighy
directed by: Brian Gibson

October 11, 1999
I really enjoyed this movie, which worked for me on several levels, or at least across several generations. I was there in the seventies listening to bands like Strange Fruit, and the film got the feel of those times right. Now I'm an old geezer like the band members, and the film got the feel of that right too. Connolly as roadie was a good choice, providing a salty anchor for the sometimes thin narrative.

One thing that seems 'off' about the way the film was promoted is the praise heaped on Mick Jones (Spooky Tooth, Foreigner) and Chris Difford (Squeeze) for the great music. Their names don't even appear in the IMDB listing for the film and I got the impression that the real force behind the music was Steve Donnelly, who is credited with ... Read More:

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Auf Wiedersehen Pet: The Complete Series 3 ( 2001) [1983]

starring: Tim Healy, Jimmy Nail, Pat Roach, Noel Clarke, Kevin Whately
directed by: Baz Taylor, Anthony Garner, Sandy Johnson

November 18, 2002
All three series of Auf Wiedersehen Pet were very much "state of the nation" stuff. The first series showed a country crippled by a socialist government, the second series the changes Thatcherism brought and the third one now shows a world changed completely by the post 1989 events. The lads have all fallen on hard luck: Dennis is reduced to chaufeuring a drug dealer around, Neville's marriage is on the rocks and his business is failing, Wayne is dead, Bomber is terminally ill, Moxy wanted by the police (nothing new there) and Barry is married to a two timing Russian gold digger. To regain their self respect (and some money) they embark on a business venture orchestrated by a shady ex-politician ( a thinly disguised Jeffrey Archer). But Auf Wiedersehen is not just ... Read More:

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Auf Wiedersehen Pet - Series 1 And 2 - Complete [1983]

starring: Timothy Spall, Tim Healy, Christopher Fairbank, Pat Roach, Kevin Whately
directed by: Roger Bamford

September 01, 2008
All three series of Auf Wiedersehen Pet were very much "state of the nation" stuff. The first series showed a country crippled by a socialist government, the second series the changes Thatcherism brought and the third one now shows a world changed completely by the post 1989 events. The lads have all fallen on hard luck: Dennis is reduced to chaufeuring a drug dealer around, Neville's marriage is on the rocks and his business is failing, Wayne is dead, Bomber is terminally ill, Moxy wanted by the police (nothing new there) and Barry is married to a two timing Russian gold digger. To regain their self respect (and some money) they embark on a business venture orchestrated by a shady ex-politician ( a thinly disguised Jeffrey Archer). But Auf Wiedersehen is not just ... Read More:

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Auf Wiedersehen Pet - The Complete Fourth Series [1983]

starring: Tim Healy, Kevin Whately, jimmy Nail, Timothy Spall, Christopher Fairbank
directed by: Baz Taylor, Anthony Garner, Sandy Johnson

February 09, 2004
After watching all of the Auf Wiedershen Pet series could there be
anything to beat it ??? Sorry its finished, Well worth keeping

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Auf Wiedersehen Pet: The Special [1983]

starring: Jimmy Nail, Christopher Fairbank, Tim Healy, Timothy Spall, Noel Clarke
directed by: Baz Taylor, Anthony Garner, Sandy Johnson

January 10, 2005
I have been watching Auf Weidershen Pet since the day it was first show on TV and I felt it somewhat sad that the Special will be the last time that we see the "lads" doing what they do best, making us all feel good. For those Aufpet fans out there they could not have asked for a better ending to a absolutly wonderful series that has given them so much joy over the past 20 years.

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Auf Wiedersehen Pet - The Complete Series 2 [1983]

starring: Jimmy Nail, Tim Healy, Kevin Whately
directed by: Baz Taylor, Anthony Garner, Sandy Johnson

July 08, 2002
Cast

Tim Healy - Dennis a bricklayer from Newcastle
Kevin Whately - Neville a bricklayer from Newcastle
Jimmy nail - Oz a bricklayer from Newcastle
Timothy Spall - Barry Taylor an electrician from Wolverhampton
Christopher Fairbank - Moxey a plasterer from Liverpool
Pat Roach - Bomber a bricklayer from Bristol
Gary Holton - Wayne a carpenter from London
Bill Paterson - Ally Fraser

If you loved the first series, you will love this. Oz is still as bad as ever and Barry is still worried about his future wife to be. A great follow on to the first series.

The "Magnificent Seven" have returned home from Germany after new laws about foreign works forces them out. The gangs are reunited to help Barry complete ... Read More:

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Auf Wiedersehen Pet Box Set - The Complete Series 1 and 2 [1983]

starring: Tim Healy, Kevin Whately, Jimmy Nail, Gary Holton, Pat Roach
directed by: Roger Bamford, Baz Taylor

October 07, 2002
You would think that a tv series as well loved as this would be given a fitting dvd release...but this is Britain & we treat tv and film with disdain for no apparent reason, especially British tv and film. The original ad break titles are predictably clumsily omitted, destroying the rhythm of each episode and the 2 La Frenais/Clement commentaries are appalling...La Frenais sounds utterly disinterested and yawns at least 3 times, Clement is only slightly better. We learn next to nothing about the series, nor the 7 actors...it is a woeful effort & both men ought to be ashamed of their lack of enthusiasm.

If it wasn't for the better sound quality (the pic is only marginally better than VHS) & ease of use dvd affords, I'd advise punters to save their money & stick with ... Read More:

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Howling II: Your Sister Is a Werewolf [1985] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

starring: Christopher Lee, Annie McEnroe, Reb Brown, Marsha A. Hunt, Sybil Danning
directed by: Philippe Mora

August 23, 2005
As the funeral for Karen White is complete, Jenny Templeton, (Annie McEnroe) is approached by Stefan Crosscoe, (Christopher Lee) a professional werewolf hunter, about Karen being a werewolf. Jenny and her boyfriend, Ben White, (Reb Brown) Karen's brother, are asked to meet with him and is able to prove that Karen really was killed as a werewolf and that a leader of the werewolves, Stirba, (Sybil Danning) has special plans for her. They travel to Translyvnia and find her in control of a large cult of werewolves that are planning a ritual that will allow them to take over the world. Teaming up together with some local villagers, they race to stop Stirba from unleashing her plan.

The Good News: Certainly, this is one of the more ostracized films in horror cinema, and looked at on it's ... Read More:

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Swing [Region 2] [import]

starring: Lisa Stansfield, Hugo Speer, Tom Bell, Rita Tushingham, Paul Usher
directed by: Nick Mead


As the funeral for Karen White is complete, Jenny Templeton, (Annie McEnroe) is approached by Stefan Crosscoe, (Christopher Lee) a professional werewolf hunter, about Karen being a werewolf. Jenny and her boyfriend, Ben White, (Reb Brown) Karen's brother, are asked to meet with him and is able to prove that Karen really was killed as a werewolf and that a leader of the werewolves, Stirba, (Sybil Danning) has special plans for her. They travel to Translyvnia and find her in control of a large cult of werewolves that are planning a ritual that will allow them to take over the world. Teaming up together with some local villagers, they race to stop Stirba from unleashing her plan.

The Good News: Certainly, this is one of the more ostracized films in horror cinema, and looked at on it's ... Read More: