DVD Rental Movies: television

Showing posts with label television. Show all posts

Showing posts with label television. Show all posts

Gavin And Stacey - Series 1-3 And 2008 Christmas Special [DVD] [2007]

Gavin is an ordinary boy from Billericay, and Stacey an ordinary girl from Barry. After speaking on the phone to each other every day at work - they finally meet and fall in love... I won't lie to you, life is never quite that simple. For a start there are Gavin’s parents, Stacey’s mum and Uncle Bryn and best mates Nessa and Smithy to consider, as well as the small matter of living in different countries separated by a long bridge and a toll gate.

Winner of two Baftas and four British Comedy awards, Gavin & Stacey is poignant, genuine and hilarious – one of the stand-out comedy series of the 21st Century.

New Release DVD Rental Available.

Blackadder: Complete Collection - BBC Series 1-4 & The Specials

One of the best comedy series ever to emerge from England, Black Adder traces the deeply cynical and self-serving lineage of various Edmund Blackadders from the muck of the Middle Ages to the frontline of World War I. In his pre-Mr Bean triumph, British comic actor Rowan Atkinson played all five versions of Edmund, beginning with the villainous and cowardly Duke of Edinburgh, whose scheming mind and awful haircut seem to stand him in good stead to become the next Archbishop of Canterbury -- a deadly occupation if ever there was one. Among tales of royal dethronings, Black Death, witch-smellers (who root out spell-makers with their noses), and ghosts, Edmund is a perennial survivor who never quite gets ahead in multiple episodes. Jump to the Elizabethan era and Atkinson picks up the saga as Lord Edmund, who is perpetually courting favour from mad Queen Bess (Miranda Richardson) and is always walking a tightrope from which he can either gain the world or lose his head. Subjected to bizarre services for her majesty (at one point, Edmund is asked to do for potatoes what Sir Walter Raleigh did for tobacco), Edmund -- like his ancestor -- can never quite fulfill his larger ambitions. The next incarnation we encounter is in late-18th-century Regency England. This time, Blackadder is a mere butler to the idiotic Prince Regent (Hugh Laurie in a brilliantly buffoonish performance) and is caught in various misadventures with Samuel Johnson, Shakespearean actors, the Scarlet Pimpernel, and William Pitt the younger. With a brief stop in Victorian London for a Christmas special, the series concludes with several episodes set during the Great War. The new Edmund is a career army officer, but a scoundrel all the same. Shirking his duties whenever possible and taking advantage of any opportunity for undeserved reward, this final, deeply sour, and very funny Blackadder negotiates survival among a cadre of fools and dimwits. No small mention can be made of Atkinson's supporting cast, easily among the finest comic performers of their generation: besides Laurie and Richardson, Stephen Fry, Tony Robinson, and Tim McInnerny. --Tom Keogh

DVD Rental Available.

Family Guy Season 6 [2007]

The adventures of the Griffin family continues with the story of bumbling, well-intentioned father Peter; his sweet but oblivious wife Lois; and their teenagers, dim-witted Chris and awkward Meg. The most recognisable characters, however, remain the family's masterminds: evil genius baby Stewie, determined to achieve complete world domination at the age of one, and Brian, an erudite martini-swilling dog, the family's lone voice of reason. Includes all the episodes from the sixth series.

DVD Rental Available.

The Catherine Tate Comic Relief Special (BBC) - Limited Edition (Exclusive to Amazon.co.uk) [2007]

Catherine Tate's special sketches for Comic Relief are excellent, the standouts being: Lauren meeting Tony Blair (who gives a good performance!); Nan's chaotic appearance on Deal or No Deal; and Lauren locking horns with new teacher David Tennant. While the novelty appeal of Lauren is wearing off, the character shines in the two sketches she appears in, as there is a great twist on the 'Am I bovvered?' catchphrase. The Daniel Craig sketch could have been better, but Lenny Henry meeting the charitable office worker is hilarious. This is a great buy, and Catherine Tate has created sketches which reflect the two key aims of Comic Relief: raising money for charity while having a laugh!

DVD Rental Available.

Between the Lines: Complete BBC Series 1-3 Box Set

This Amazon Exclusive complete collecton box set includes all of series 1 – 3 of Between the Lines, the powerful and controversial cop TV drama that ran from 1992-1994, set in the Metropolitan Complaints Investigation Bureau.

CIB: the police for the police. Loathed by fellow officers and treated with suspicion by the public, their's is a grey world of corruption and one that leaves rising star Superintendent Tony Clark (Neil Pearson) cold. Reluctantly involved in the beginning, he finds that now there is no going back. As the taste of his promotion turns sour, he finds himself well and truly caught between the lines...

The series presented a realistic cut-throat, no holds barred depiction of UK police corruption.

With great supporting roles from Tom Georgeson, Siobhan Redmond and the late Tony Doyle of Ballykissangel fame.

DVD Rental Available.

Supernatural : Complete Season 1 (6 Disc Box Set) [2006]

Bound by tragedy and blood to a dangerous, other-worldly mission, two brothers crisscross the lonely and mysterious back roads of America, encountering creatures that most people believe only exist in folklore, superstition and nightmares.

DVD Rental Available.

Smallville: Complete Season 1

The venerable Superman mythos gets a 21st-century updating in the imaginative and engaging TV series Smallville. The premise of the show--Superman as a teenager--takes up just a few pages in Superman's very first comic-book appearance (in Action Comics back in 1938), but producers Alfred Gough and Miles Millar flesh out that period by portraying young Clark Kent (Tom Welling) not as the noble Superman-in-waiting, but as an average teen with some not-so-ordinary supernatural powers, including incredible strength and heat vision (Clark hasn't lifted up, up, and away as of yet). Clark's desire to fit in with his peers and make sense of his extraordinary abilities grounds him in very realistic and identifiable terms for the series' primarily under-25 audience, as does his appealing and tentative romance with Kristen Kreuk as Clark's dreamgirl Lana Lang. But Smallville also strikes gold when it takes a turn towards more comic-book territory, as evidenced by the parade of shape-shifting killers and other outlandish antagonists (many generated, in one of the series' most ingenious notions, by the same devastating meteor shower that brought the infant Clark to Earth) that Clark must harness his powers to face and defeat. Gough and Millar, along with their capable cast (which includes Michael Rosenbaum as a young and already bald-pated Lex Luthor, and Annette O'Toole and John Schneider as the Kents) manage to pull off the precarious high-wire act of combining science fiction with coming-of-age drama to create this highly watchable programme. --Paul Gaita

DVD Rental Available.

Rome: The Complete HBO Season 2 (5 Disc Box Set) [2006]

Unlike another certain celebrated HBO series, Rome's end will satisfy those swept up in its lavishly mounted spectacle and invested in the human dramas of the historical figures and fictional characters. Series 2 begins in the wake of Julius Caesar's assassination, and charts the power struggle to fill his sandals between "vulgar beast" Mark Antony (James Purefoy) and "clever boy" Octavian (Simon Woods), who is surprisingly named Caesar's sole heir. The series' most compelling relationship is between fellow soldiers and unlikely friends, the honorable Lucius Vorenus (Kevin McKidd) and Titus "Violence is the only trade I know" Pullo (Ray Stevenson), who somewhat reverse roles when Vorenus is overcome with grief in the wake of his wife's suicide. Series 2 considerably ups the ante in the rivalry between Atia (an Emmy-worthy Polly Walker), who is Antony's mistress, and Servilia (Lindsay Duncan) with attempted poisonings and sickening torture. Another gripping sub plot is Vorenus's estrangement from his children, who, at the climax of the season opener are presumed slaughtered, but whose true fate may be even more devastating to the father who cursed them. Rome's second season does not scrimp on the series' sex and violence, in both cases exceedingly brutal. But in this cauldron of treachery and betrayal, words, too, are vicious, as when a defiant Atia ominously tells Octavian's new wife, Livia, "Far better women that you have sworn to [destroy me]. Go look for them now." In writing Rome's epitaph, we come to praise this series, not to bury it. Although two seasons was not enough to establish a Rome empire, it stands as one of HBO's crowning achievements. --Donald Liebenson

DVD Rental Available.

Prison Break - Season 2 - Complete [2006]

Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller, THE HUMAN STAIN) and his brother Lincoln Burrows (Dominic Purcell, JOHN DOE) might have escaped prison at the end of series one, but that doesn't mean that drama and action have to end in this thrilling series' second year. Michael, Lincoln, and a group of escaped convicts aren't just on the run from the law, led by an FBI agent (William Fichtner, INVASION). They're also devoting their time to uncovering a vast government plot that takes them all over the world. Like fellow serial dramas LOST and 24, PRISON BREAK is a complex series driven by smart stories and engaging action that rewards multiple viewings. Features all the episodes from the second series of PRISON BREAK.

DVD Rental Available.

The Complete Roots Collection: Original Series 30th Anniversary Edition / Roots The Gift TV Special / The Next Generation

Based on Alex Haley's best-selling novel about his African ancestors, the acclaimed US TV mini-series Roots garnered widespread popularity in the 1970s and to this day remains one of the most watched programmes in history, with the ratings for the series finale still the third highest-rated US program of all time, (behind the final episode of MASH and the "Who Shot JR?" episode of Dallas).
Roots follows several generations in the lives of a slave family. The story begins with Kunta Kinte (played by LeVar Burton), a West African youth captured by slave traders and shipped to America in the 1700s. Torn from his homeland, stripped of his dignity, his rights and even his name, in torment and anguish he is brought to the slave markets of the new world. He tries, but fails, to escape before accepting he can never return to Africa. The film traces his life and those of his family, depicted up until the Civil War where Kunte Kinte's grandson gains emancipation. It captures generations of love, tears, pain, strife, sacrifice and happiness, reminding us of the resilience and resource of the human spirit even under crippling injustice. But Roots was more than just a quality drama, it had a wider impact on society. It persuaded American audiences to regard their history from a black perspective, and to see how--against odds far more desperate than those the pilgrims faced--Africans laid claim to their status as free African-Americans. It triggered a craze for genealogy and changed forever the way black people were depicted on TV.

DVD Rental Available.

Bones - Season 2 [2006]

Beginning with the death of a senator and ending with a marriage, the second season of Bones builds on the momentum created during the first season. The second season centres on the collaborations between FBI special agent Seeley Booth (David Boreanaz, Angel, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and forensic anthropologist Dr. Temperance Brennan (Emily Deschanel), whom Booth has nicknamed "Bones." While Booth doesn't completely believe in Bones' method, he can't argue with her success rate at solving crimes. As for Bones, she is meticulous at what she does and is a borderline genius, but she has issues. Seemingly oblivious to her own good looks, she is all but socially inept. Booth may be blunt, but he's comfortable dealing with the public. Bones, on the other hand, would rather be sequestered away with the dead, trying to figure out what happened before their uncertain deaths. Of course, while viewers can see that Bones and Booth would be a perfect couple, the characters aren't quite there yet. Their friendship becomes a little more complicated this season when it turns out that Bones' new demanding boss, Dr. Camille Saroyan (Tamara Taylor), is a former girlfriend of Booth's. And the two women aren't getting along. Still, everyone is able to work together to solve a series of crimes, such as identifying the remains of an all but unidentifiable teenage boy and dealing with a serial killer who is emulating the crimes depicted in Bones' latest mystery novel. (Yes, she's not only a brilliant scientist but also an ace author.) Like many television dramas where forensic evidence is a driving force in the plots, Bones offers up the gross-out autopsies. But it also serves up a lot of humanity in the way the characters interact with one another. It is giving nothing away to reveal that Bones and Booth are not the couple getting married in the season finale. But the episode does reveal that beneath their tough exteriors, marriage and all that it implies is something they wouldn't mind... perhaps even with each other. --Jae-Ha Kim

DVD Rental Available.

Life on Mars : Complete BBC Series 2 [2006] [2007]

It’s hard to believe it’s over. Life On Mars shot out of nowhere at the beginning of 2006 to become a vital, gripping drama, and this second series more than maintains the sky high standards that the first so memorably set.

What makes it even more surprising is that all the ingredients were there for it to go so tragically wrong. The central premise, that for unknown reasons modern day police detective Sam Tyler wakes up in the 1970s, is fraught with potential potholes, yet the creators of Life On Mars twist it very much in their favour, delivering a skilful, taut comparison between policing then and policing now.

It’s this clash of approach that provides many of Life On Mars’ sparks, but nonetheless, it has much more than that going for it. It boasts, for instance, a terrific level of attention to detail, and weaves in quality narrative too, with Tyler frequently caught between unravelling his predicament, the crimes before him, and his 1970s’ colleagues with their 1970s’ tactics.

This second, and final, series wraps things up surprisingly well, and consistently delivers laughs, action and plenty of pub talk off the back of it. It’s also a delight to revisit Life On Mars, and that makes this collected boxset of the episodes of season two an absolute must for any fan of gritty, interesting and terrifically entertaining British drama. Quite, quite brilliant. --Jon Foster

DVD Rental Available.

Pride And Prejudice : Complete BBC Series - 10th Anniversary Edition [1995]

In spite of the quality of the more recent Keira Knightley-starring big-screen interpretation, it’s the mid-90s BBC mini-series of Pride and Prejudice that’s still regarding by many as the definitive telling of Jane Austen’s classic.

Featuring, as many swooning admirers will already know, Colin Firth in a career-topping performance as Mr Darcy, Pride and Prejudice is the timeless tale of seemingly impossible romance. On one hand, there’s the wealthy, single Mr Darcy, and on the other is Elizabeth, a woman Darcy believes is beneath him. Across six sumptuous hours of this classic mini-series, their story then slowly bubbles, aided by some excellent supporting performances. Nods must go to the likes of Jennifer Ehle, Susannah Harker, Anna Chancellor and Julia Sawalha, to highlight but a handful.

It’s not just in front of the camera where Pride and Prejudice scores, though. The production values are absolutely outstanding, with this really a watermark for BBC costume drama production. Add in Simon Langton’s diligent direction, and this is one of those rare occasions where everything seemingly effortlessly falls into place, with outstanding end results.

Over ten years since it was first broadcast, the particular take on Pride and Prejudice remains as vital, moving and compelling as it was first time round. And if it’s ever topped, it’s going to take something really, really special to do it… --Jon Foster

DVD Rental Available.

The Tudors : Complete BBC Series 1 - Limited Edition 'Headless' Sleeve

The 'Headless' edition of the award-winning series The Tudors is encased in a unique sleeve showing Henry (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) on his throne, surrounded by four busty headless women--a tongue-in-cheek allusion to the controversial king's legacy of beheading his wives. This limited edition sleeve is an Amazon.co.uk exclusive.

Passion, ambition and treachery collide in this compelling, daring, big budget drama about the tumultuous early part of King Henry VIII's infamous 40-year reign...Bold and passionate about his country and his women, King Henry’s obsession with ensuring his legacy led to beheading friends and foes, waging wars and challenging the Catholic Church – events that would forever change the British Empire.

DVD Rental Available.

House - Season 3 (Hugh Laurie) [2006]

The award-winning House simply gets better and better, as its third season again delivers entertainment to a consistently high standard. Powered by Hugh Laurie in the title role--and his performance is worthy of every plaudit it’s attracted--this is a medical mix of drama and highly sarcastic comedy, that’s proven to be a considerable commercial and critical success.

The thinking behind the show is simple. Laurie’s Dr House is as reluctant, snide and miserable a medical practitioner as you’re likely to find, although he happens to be a genius at solving the unsolvable cases. Along with his small team of doctors, each episode generally sees House as a medical mystery, with said team scrabbling to find the answers to devilishly complicated illnesses and diseases.

But House’s skill is its characters as well as its at-times ingenious plotlines. Hugh Laurie aside, Omar Epps, Jesse Spencer and Jennifer Morrison are terrific as House’s long-suffering staff, while Robert Sean Leonard’s Dr Wilson and Lisa Edelstein’s Dr Cuddy are equally strong as his only friend and boss respectively.

The third season of House shakes things up quite a lot though. A good chunk of it, for instance, is concerned with Laurie’s Doctor coming under investigation from a detective who takes a dislike to House’s methods. Plus there’s also a superb episode set mid-flight, and plenty of character issues to deal with too. No plot spoilers here, though!

In short, House is, and remains a triumph, by turns funny, dramatic and moving. And Laurie, surely in the role of a lifetime, is simply brilliant. Series four can’t come quickly enough. --Simon Brew

DVD Rental Available.

The Sopranos: HBO Season 6 (Part 2 - The Final Episodes) [2007]

The final installment of HBO’s acclaimed drama series The Sopranos is filled with some of the darkest hours the well-drawn characters have ever faced. Having cheated death after being shot by Uncle Junior, Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) continues to muse about his second chance at life in this series. He faces a myriad of immediate, stress-inducing crises at home, at work and from the law. Tony's wife Carmela (Edie Falco) plans for a future she's not sure will arrive, and son AJ (Robert Iler) and daughter Meadow find that adulthood holds its own surprises. Meanwhile, at work, Tony comes to doubt the allegiances of many of those closest to him--no one, not Paulie, Bobby, Silvio or even Christopher--is above suspicion. The clock is ticking. Time is running out. But for who?

DVD Rental Available.

Fantasy Island : Complete Season 1

One of the definitive TV shows of the 1970s that originally aspired to the dark moral complexity of anthology shows like The Twilight Zone. Even die hard fans will have to admit Fantasy Island fell short of its goal--but that didn't stop it from becoming hugely popular, lasting for seven powerhouse seasons. All the most iconic elements were present from the beginning: Diminutive Tattoo (Herve Villechaize, The Man with the Golden Gun) shouting "De plane! De plane!"; infinitely gracious Mr. Roarke (Ricardo Montalban, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan) commanding "Smiles, everyone, smiles," before delivering pages of exposition with his implacable Latin gravitas; the white suits; the tropical island that somehow has all the vegetation and weather patterns in the world; the pageant of celebrities from Jim Backus to Karen Valentine, Barbi Benton to Don Knotts--it all added up to sneakily addictive television.

After all, wish-fulfillment--be it a schlub who wants to be irresistible to chicks or kids who want their separated parents to reconcile or a former cheerleading team who want to relive their high school glory days--had a built-in narrative hook, even though the resolution (various versions of "be careful what you wish for") was never in doubt. Almost every episode bubbled over with sex, revenge, ambition, and regret, delivered with a shameless lack of subtlety. Over the course of the first season, the interplay between Montalban and Villechaize--each armed with an intriguing exotic accent--became more and more prominent, with Mr. Roarke becoming increasingly supernatural while Tattoo oozed the mortal sins of greed and lechery. Turn on any episode; you'll find it hard to stop watching, no matter how cheesy or ludicrous the storyline. --Bret Fetzer

DVD Rental Available.

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