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Jesus Christ Superstar [1973]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Classics
starring: Ted Neeley, Carl Anderson, Yvonne Elliman, Barry Dennen
directed by: Norman Jewison

March 07, 2005
There is an experience with which those of us of a certain age will be sadly familiar. It involves going back to something we really liked in the 1970s (or 1960s, or 1980s, depending on our age) and wondering, perhaps cringing slightly, what on earth we saw in it. Having had that experience often enough I approached this DVD with some caution. After all, I had _loved_ the film when it was in the cinemas several decades ago and I was a young student, but what would I feel now?

I need not have worried. Apart from the occasional wince-making turn of phrase used to force a rhyme I have no complaints. In fact I still liked "Jesus Christ Superstar" a lot. Of course it helps that this was quite possibly the best work to result from the ... Read More:

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Angels One Five [1952]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Classics
starring: John Gregson, Jack Hawkins, Dulcie Gray, Michael Denison, Cyril Raymond
directed by: George More O'Ferrall

June 02, 2008
My favourite film of all time. Even those who aren't into war films will get a lot out of it and find a lump in their throat at the end. Fans of RAF/war films will find plenty of period/procedural detail (and if you're like me, plenty of phrases with which to drive one's family mad!) Not a blood and guts film, and all the better and more profound for that.
As is often the case with older movies, there are no 'deleted scenes' or 'directors' commentary'. However, whilst some background might have been interesting, the film stands tall on its own and doesn't need any hype. Definitely one you'll watch over and over.
Just buy it!

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The Longest Day [1962]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Classics
starring: John Wayne, Richard Burton, Henry Fonda, Robert Ryan, Sean Connery
directed by: Ken Annakin, Andrew Marton, Bernhard Wicki

May 09, 2005
This may not be the only film journalling the D-day landings at Normandy and the events leading up to them, but it is by far the best. Shot in black and white for effect, all aspects of the operation are covered, from the placement of dummy units, designed to deceive the germans into believing Calais was the target, to the tension leading up to the big day, made worse by inclement weather conditions.
What makes this film special is that it doesn't just tell one side of the story, it alternates all the way through, mostly focusing on the allied actions while giving a reasonable account of what the germans were doing.
This adds to the excitement when the landings take place, both air and seaborne. Historically accurate, with adequate ... Read More:

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Paint Your Wagon [1970]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Classics
starring: Lee Marvin, Clint Eastwood, Jean Seberg, Harve Presnell, Ray Walston
directed by: Joshua Logan

February 04, 2002
I read on IMDB that 'Paint your Wagon' single handidly killed off the western and musical genres. Ignore sush tripe.

It's a long film, but in this day of long films with pointless side plots, this doesn't waste a minute. Filled with great tunes, funny (and clever!) jokes and superb performances I'd say this is a must. At little more than £5 in highstreet stores it's a bargain.

"Shermahorn, sit down, you haven't been rec-og-nised"
"But I'm Shermahorn"

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Ice Cold In Alex [1958]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Classics
starring: John Mills, Sylvia Syms, Anthony Quayle, Harry Andrews, Diane Clare
directed by: J. Lee Thompson

January 29, 2007
this film ain't really a war film as such more of a drama that takes place during the war, you see no fighting what we get is a suspensful messmarising film that builds up and leaves you torn in 2 .if you ain't seen this b/w film then go and treat yourself because not many films can challenge it's magic from such a small cast ,this film is without doubt one of the greats.

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Othello (1990)

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Classics
starring: Ian McKellen, Imogen Stubbs, Willard White, Zoe Wanamker, Marsha Hunt
directed by: Trevor Nunn

November 17, 2003
It's one of those accepted blips: any production of "Othello" doesn't rely on the performance of the eponymous hero, but of his Nemesis, Iago.
And what an Iago Ian McKellen makes! Absolutely astounding. You have to see it.
Willard White is serviceable as Othello, Zoe Wanamaker is her usual superb self as Emilia and Imogen Stubbs is surprisingly unpunchable in a role that really could only be played properly by a 23 year old Jeanne Moreau.
Great production that (voguishly, but brilliantly) takes the play down to its domestic roots and plays as a chamber piece.
There are always going to be limitations to film versions of theatre, but by accepting that this is what this "Othello" is, Trevor Nunn has come up with a production to treasure. ... Read More:

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Full Metal Jacket [1987]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Classics
starring: Matthew Modine, Adam Baldwin, Vincent D'Onofrio, R. Lee Ermey, Dorian Harewood
directed by: Stanley Kubrick

June 01, 2006
I've finally got around to watching this film, the first 45 minutes were excellent, this covered the training of the recruits who were being prepared for their stints in Vietnam, this concentrated on 2 characters in particular, Leonard "Gomer Pyle" Lawrence (Vincent D'Onofrio) and Gunnery Sergeant Hartman (R Lee Ermey), both put in fine performances, especially R Le Ermey who's in superb form, in a way it comes across as more a comedy than anything else during this time, but there's no harm in that.

We then follow the recruits as they go to war, I felt a little let down by this part of the film, it's still good and well worth watching, but maybe it did not feel totally real at times.

There's also some really good music throughout the ... Read More:

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First of the Few [1942]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Classics
starring: David Niven, Leslie Howard, Rosamund John, Anne Firth, Roland Culver
directed by: Leslie Howard

April 02, 2007
What a beautiful and gripping story about the lead designer of the Spitfire - Reginald Joseph Mitchell. It is a propaganda movie from 1942, a very troubled time for England, when England was in great need for heros and Mitchell fits the bill, an eccentric, calm, pipe smoking, public school and very amiable sort of fellow.

The story is captivating and very believable, a one mans struggle to make the perfect areoplane, then the perfect fighter. It is so good you want to believe everything is true - and even if it is riddled with historical inaccuracies - you have to remember that it is just the film that was needed at the time.

The leading actors are most loveable, David Niven is at his best and has some rather convincing drunken scenes ... Read More:

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Hello Dolly [1969]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Classics
from: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

April 18, 2005
I grew up watching this movie on VHS and know all the songs, I love the kooky edge Michael Crawford brings to his role, I find his high pitched feminine voice strangely uplifting, and Streisland as always is vocal perfection. Escapism set to music.

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The 39 Steps [1935]

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Classics
starring: Robert Donat, Madeleine Carroll, Lucie Mannheim, Godfrey Tearle, Peggy Ashcroft
directed by: Alfred Hitchcock

August 13, 2001
Hitchcock always used to say that he saw no point in adapting an excellent book for one of his films because if a novel was so good, what could he do to improve upon it?

As a result, in the 80 years since it's release there must have been a lot of disappointed people who have bought John Buchan's book on the strength of this film. For all intents and puposes, Hitchcock's version has become the one that all the others are judged on.

Robert Donat is superb as Richard Hannay, a man who ends up on the run when a spy, whom he had only met that evening, ends up dead in his flat. Hannay ends up fleeing to Scotland, determined to pass on the message about the 39 steps.

Along the way he picks up Pamela, another superb turn from ... Read More: