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A Man Escaped [1956]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Classics
starring: François Letterier, Charles Le Clainche, Roland Monod, Marice Beerblock, Jacques Ertaud
directed by: Robert Bresson

April 28, 2008
If you have any serious interest in cinema then this is simply essential. Often imitated, universally admired, Bresson dismissed every accepted rule and convention and simply built his own. From the very first composing of the credits you know you are in the hands of a master. Bresson decides to give you what you need - and nothing more. No music (except the sparest use of glorious Mozart when he wants the film to rise to a different level of significance) - the only soundtrack being just the essential sounds to punctuate the action. No overhead tracking shots, no vistas - just a focus on only the action you need to see and follow - detail detail detail.. The simplest of dialogue, the most direct 'acting'. This is the antithesis of Hollywood ... Read More:

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Exodus [1960]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Classics
starring: Paul Newman, Eva Marie Saint, Ralph Richardson, Peter Lawford, Lee J. Cobb
directed by: Otto Preminger

February 02, 2004
Exodus is a pro Israel film. What is wrong with that? In Europe
most of the media puts the Arab point of view every hour with no attempt at "fairness".There is an element of stereo type of the British, Arabs and also the Palestinian Jews.Since the 1967 war we need reminding that the only Palestinians that fought for the Allies in the two World Wars were the Palestinian Jews now called Israelis.The word "Palestinian" has been inaccurately appropiated by the Arabs of palestine only.A dramatic epic and a reminder of the fact that the Arabs rejected all offers of negotiation which could have avoided refugee problems and war, and that the British Administration was not evenhanded but 100% pro Arab because of Arab oil and bolstered by traditional public ... Read More:

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Twelfth Night [1996]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Classics
starring: Imogen Stubbs, Steven Mackintosh, Nicholas Farrell, Sydney Livingstone, Ben Kingsley
directed by: Trevor Nunn

October 29, 2001
this is one of my most favourite movies. there are some splendid reviews here already, so i will keep it short.
this is shakespearian comedy with dark undertones. this tale is about the nature of love. wonderful yet terrible love... etc. not everyone wins at the end. The actors are all wonderfully cast, and the landscape and locations are brilliant to. there is also a wonderful balance between the romance, the pangs of unrequitted love, laughs, music, chaos, revenge, etc. and it is all perfect. Ben Kingsley's Feste i think stands out most. and when Viola speaks of love (hers being impossible), i again feel the pain i had when i had my own heart broken.
this tale is not all romantic. For instance: Maria maries Sir Toby knowing his bad habits ... Read More:

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Jason And The Argonauts [1963]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Classics
starring: Todd Armstrong, Nancy Kovack, Gary Raymond, Laurence Naismith
directed by: Don Chaffey

December 19, 2005
I just love films like this, the special effects are fantastic, they dont make films like this anymore, its a pity as we english used to be leading the best film industry in the world. now we are hopless at making great films our American cousins have lead the way for such a long time.I also like this film as its location is Canary Islands in Tenerife, it is a lovely place its well worth a visit.

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The Thomas Crown Affair [1968]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Classics
starring: Steve McQueen, Faye Dunaway, Paul Burke, Jack Weston, Biff McGuire
directed by: Norman Jewison

February 01, 2000
A wonderful performance. I loved first watching it 20 years ago. McQueen's charisma is unbeatable. They should never have bothered with the Brosnan remake.

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For A Few Dollars More (Special Edition) [1965]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Classics
starring: Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef, Gian Maria Volonte, Mara Krup, Luigi Pistilli
directed by: Sergio Leone

April 18, 2005
For a few dollars more is a great western and is far superior to a fist full of dollars. This film has great pacing and a fantastic score by ennio morricone a great run up to the good the bad and the ugly.

I reccomend this for people who haven't seen a good western before and even those who have.

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Summer Holiday [1963]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Classics
starring: Una Stubbs, Ron Moody, Cliff Richard, Lauri Peters
directed by: Peter Yates

February 26, 2007
I remember really enjoying this when I was a kid so I rented it for my children to see (3 boys aged 8,7 & 7 and a girl aged 4) but I didn't expect them to enjoy it quite as much as they did. They are now driving me mad singing Bachelor Boy almost non-stop but they loved the whole thing. The adventure of travelling around in a bus, the singing and dancing, the fun of "Fagin" doing his mime and the near-wedding to the poor Yugoslav girl - I'd forgotten quite how good it was and the children are really disappointed that I have to send it back. Please don't take it too seriously and just enjoy but I imagine if you are even looking at a review of Summer Holiday then you will enjoy it.

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The Great Escape [1963]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Classics
starring: Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, James Donald, Charles Bronson
directed by: John Sturges

February 01, 2000
An early war film before the use of special effects works by it's "acting". These were top escapists who weren't to be denied, how they actually succeeded was through ingenuity, except it came at a cost, namely death and recapture.
The Germans knew they were going to be tested but they hadn't the collective nous to thwart the impending break out/s. Very sanitary in it's portrayal as it lacks an edge apart from the final scene of McQueen trying to outwit his pursuers. Marvellous back drop and having Bronson being a tunnelman afraid of the dark/clostrophobic and the brains of the operation going blind shows how plans can almost backfire.
An excellent cast illuminates this War time drama, a deserved favourite!

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L'Avventura [1961]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Classics
starring: Gabriele Ferzetti, Monica Vitti, Lea Massari, Renzo Ricci, Dominique Blanchar
directed by: Michelangelo Antonioni

June 30, 2008
Anything that can be said has been said so I wont go on to much...In my view for me this is without doubt one of the best films I have seen in years, Monica Vitti is so stunning even mesmerising. Beautifuly shot. A girl myseriously disappears while on a yachting trip after that the search begins by her Lover and her best friend...(what are friend for) and what use are lovers ??. I feel that many men and women will relate to certain main characters in the way they act out there lives, I wont give anything away.cos thats the kinda guy I am.

I would also suggest seeing L'Eclisse also starring Monica Vitti and the stylish Alain Delon (good hair) also Red Desert I think it may be released on dvd region 2 in October 2008 its available on region 1 at present.plus La Notte is a must as well.

Michelangelo ... Read More:

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Bullitt (2 Disc Special Edition) [1968]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Classics
starring: Steve McQueen, Robert Vaughn, Jacqueline Bisset, Robert Duvall, Simon Oakland
directed by: Peter Yates

July 18, 2005
The car chase in Bullitt may seem a bit less impressive than it once did because filmmakers have been trying to top it for the best part of four decades. More of a cat-and-mouse game than a demolition derby, its overshadowed by the film's other action setpieces - a murder in a safe house, a tense chase in a hospital and a great airport finale that Michael Mann ripped off wholesale in Heat. A beautifully constructed star vehicle for Steve McQueen at his best, it's pretty much the prototype for every Hollywood cop movie that followed, but benefits from good casting (Robert Vaughn, Jacqueline Bisset, Don Gordon, Simon Oakland, Robert Duvall), better characterisation than the norm and a low key approach from director Peter Yates that makes the highs seem a lot more effective than they should. The plot's not bad either, with Lalo Schifrin contributing ... Read More: