Gunn, Peter

Ever After - A Cinderella Story

Take away the Fairy Godmother, and what have you got left from the Cinderella fable? The story of a girl for whom a bad stroke of luck is no match for her internal strength and purity of heart. Drew Barrymore plays Cinderella's alleged inspiration, Danielle, in this romantic drama that purports to tell the "facts" behind the Grimm brothers' story. One of three daughters of a man (Jeroen Krabbé) who dies and leaves her fate in the hands of a conniving stepmother (Anjelica Huston), Danielle is cast into the lowly role of a servant. Meanwhile, her sisters are evaluated as possible mates for a French prince (Dougray Scott), but he's far more intrigued with Danielle's intelligence and beauty--not to mention her way with a sword and fist. Directed by Andy Tennant (who directed Barrymore in TV's The Amy Fisher Story), Ever After has that rare ability to win the heart and mind of a viewer simply by being committed to its own innocence, particularly where Barrymore's luminous performance is concerned. A contemporary take on an old, virtually forgotten Hollywood convention--the costume adventure with middling artistic ambition but real audience appeal--Ever After is a surprisingly delightful film. --Tom Keogh

A "modern" young woman of the 16th century, Danielle (Barrymore) is as independent and wise as she is beautiful and kind. Against remarkable odds, she stands up to her scheming stepmother (Huston) and works miracles on the lives of everyone around her, including the crown prince of France (Dougray Scott)!Now you can relive this captivating, contemporary retelling of the classic fairytale.

Twelfth Night

A once-in-a-lifetime cast shines in this hilarious version of the beloved Shakespeare comedy! When a shipwreck separates siblings Viola and Sebastian in a foreign land, each thinks the other is dead, and both embark on a series of romantic misadventures involving deception, cross-dressing, dashing counts, obese alcoholics and a perceptive fool who presides over the entire madcap affair. A delight from start to finish, this dazzling treat is British comedy at its best!

When a shipwreck separates siblings Viola and Sebastian in a foreign land, both think the other is dead and embarks on a series of romantic misadventures.

Masterpiece Theatre - Painted Lady (1997)

Helen Mirren (Prime Suspect The Clearing) stars in this compelling murder-mystery set amid the murky underworld of illegal art trade.Maggie Sheridan (Mirren) once one of the most famous blues voices of her generation lost decades of her life to drinking and hard-living. After a failed suicide attempt she was taken in by Sir Charles Stafford (Iain Cuthbertson Antonia and Jane) and his son Sebastian (Iain Glen Tomb Raider). She has lived quietly on their Irish estate for ten years. But one summer evening her peaceful life is shattered when Sir Charles is brutally murdered and a valuable sixteenth century painting is stolen. The painting is one of several disturbing pictures sent to Sir Charles marking the major events in his life.Maggie is convinced that the stolen painting holds the key to Sir Charles' death and decides to track it down. Meanwhile Sebastian uncovers a terrible secret with horrific consequences.Special DVD features include:link to the Masterpiece Theatre Web site scene selections and closed captions.System Requirements: Running Time 204 MinFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: MYSTERY/SUSPENSE Rating: NR UPC: 783421338395 Manufacturer No: WG33839

Ever After: A Cinderella Story

Take away the Fairy Godmother, and what have you got left from the Cinderella fable? The story of a girl for whom a bad stroke of luck is no match for her internal strength and purity of heart. Drew Barrymore plays Cinderella's alleged inspiration, Danielle, in this romantic drama that purports to tell the "facts" behind the Grimm brothers' story. One of three daughters of a man (Jeroen Krabbé) who dies and leaves her fate in the hands of a conniving stepmother (Anjelica Huston), Danielle is cast into the lowly role of a servant. Meanwhile, her sisters are evaluated as possible mates for a French prince (Dougray Scott), but he's far more intrigued with Danielle's intelligence and beauty--not to mention her way with a sword and fist. Directed by Andy Tennant (who directed Barrymore in TV's The Amy Fisher Story), Ever After has that rare ability to win the heart and mind of a viewer simply by being committed to its own innocence, particularly where Barrymore's luminous performance is concerned. A contemporary take on an old, virtually forgotten Hollywood convention--the costume adventure with middling artistic ambition but real audience appeal--Ever After is a surprisingly delightful film. --Tom Keogh

A "modern" young woman of the 16th century, Danielle (Barrymore) is as independent and wise as she is beautiful and kind. Against remarkable odds, she stands up to her scheming stepmother (Huston) and works miracles on the lives of everyone around her, including the crown prince of France (Dougray Scott)!Now you can relive this captivating, contemporary retelling of the classic fairytale.

Brassed Off!

Take The Full Monty, add a sharper emotional edge, and replace the strutting strippers with a dignified British band. That's the essence of Brassed Off, a bittersweet gem released in 1996, a year before its more popular (and Oscar-nominated) counterpart. In the Yorkshire town of Grimley, there has always been a coal mine, just as for the last 111 years there has been a brass band, and it seems that Danny (the wondrous Pete Postlethwaite) has been the director for every one of those years. Tory economic policies, however, are closing coal mines around the country in favor of nuclear power, and Grimley appears to be next on the list. Danny is unfazed by the threat, claiming, "It's music that matters." But some of the men are about to quit the band until the appearance of Gloria (Tara Fitzgerald at her most radiant), who dazzles the all-male group (including old flame Andy, played by Ewan McGregor) first with her beauty, then with her flügelhorn playing. The new member gives the band a boost as they continue to perform and compete, but closure remains very real, as director Mark Herman (Little Voice) accompanies the band's performances (played with gusto by the Grimethorpe Colliery Band) with scenes of angry labor-management confrontations and family strife. In this context, some of the characters claim that the music is an irresponsible form of escapism. It becomes clear, however, from a touching performance of "Danny Boy" to the stirring conclusion at Royal Albert Hall, that music is an expression of the human spirit, a bit of beauty and sanity in a harsh world. With defiance, the band can play "Land of Hope and Glory," even when the land offers them neither. --David Horiuchi

This delightfully entertaining comedy treat features hot screen stars Ewan McGregor (STAR WARS EPISODE 1: THE PHANTOM MENACE, MOULIN ROUGE) and sexy Tara Fitzgerald (SIRENS). It's the critically acclaimed story about two old friends -- and ex-lovers -- whose surprise reunion turns their lives ... and the lives of everyone else in town ... hilariously upside down! Also starring screen favorite Pete Postlethwaite (JURASSIC PARK: THE LOST WORLD; THE USUAL SUSPECTS) -- don't miss the fun of the laugh-filled comedy that entertained and captivated audiences everywhere!

Ever After - A Cinderella Story

Take away the Fairy Godmother, and what have you got left from the Cinderella fable? The story of a girl for whom a bad stroke of luck is no match for her internal strength and purity of heart. Drew Barrymore plays Cinderella's alleged inspiration, Danielle, in this romantic drama that purports to tell the "facts" behind the Grimm brothers' story. One of three daughters of a man (Jeroen Krabbé) who dies and leaves her fate in the hands of a conniving stepmother (Anjelica Huston), Danielle is cast into the lowly role of a servant. Meanwhile, her sisters are evaluated as possible mates for a French prince (Dougray Scott), but he's far more intrigued with Danielle's intelligence and beauty--not to mention her way with a sword and fist. Directed by Andy Tennant (who directed Barrymore in TV's The Amy Fisher Story), Ever After has that rare ability to win the heart and mind of a viewer simply by being committed to its own innocence, particularly where Barrymore's luminous performance is concerned. A contemporary take on an old, virtually forgotten Hollywood convention--the costume adventure with middling artistic ambition but real audience appeal--Ever After is a surprisingly delightful film. --Tom Keogh

Masterpiece Theatre: Mill on the Floss

Emily Watson is luminous and heartbreaking as the brilliant, stifled Maggie in the 1997 TV production of The Mill on the Floss. All her life, young Maggie has heard "You're far too clever for a woman," with her deep intellectual curiosity and thirst for knowledge. But in 19th century England, the options for clever women were few--and many believe this story, by George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans), was a thinly disguised autobiography of Eliot/Evans herself. "I want there to be great things, beautiful things, in my life," Maggie wails to her cousin Lucy. "It's a sin, isn't it?" Later she finds a mantra she repeats often: "It we deserve nothing, if we yearn for nothing, then we can't be disappointed." In fact, Maggie (played unsentimentally as a young child by the captivating Lucy Borton) does yearn for education, stimulation, and witty interaction, which she must settle for finding, largely, in her home at the mill on the Floss River. As her family endures financial hardship, Maggie finds herself torn by love--for her struggling father; her headstrong brother, Tom; her childhood friend, Philip; and Lucy's fiancé.

It's her relationship with Philip that is the strongest metaphor for Maggie's life and choices. Played with depth and grace by The Tudors' James Frain, Philip is disabled with a hunchback, yet his intellect fires on every cylinder, and from their first meeting, Philip and Maggie form a deep bond. Philip's physical disability mirrors Maggie's own--of simply having been born in the body of a woman; each is limited by nothing but others' perceptions. Watson's Maggie, trembling with rage, realizes this and struggles daily, hourly, to make peace with the limitations imposed upon her. The film was shot in the sumptuous English countryside, and the beautiful expanses seem unchanged from Eliot's day. And Watson, fairly glowing with inner radiance, shines against even the loveliest backdrop. --A.T. Hurley

Funny Bones

Funny Bones, directed by Peter Chelsom (Hear My Song), is a weird but intriguing comedy with a particularly dark edge. Oliver Platt plays a would-be comedian, the son of a major comedy star (Jerry Lewis); Dad's reputation even overshadows his son's Las Vegas debut. After that flop the son tries to go back to his roots and heads for his father's launch pad in Blackpool, England. There, he meets his previously unknown half-brother (Lee Evans), a bizarre comedy savant who teaches him a thing or two about taking risks to get laughs, and discovers a secret about how his father got started. Platt is likably lost and Lewis is perfectly overbearing, but the real find here is Evans, a rubber-faced, protean comic with always-surprising material. --Marshall Fine

Acclaimed by critics everywhere for its zany comedy and terrific cast, FUNNY BONES is big laughs for everyone! Struggling in the shadow of his famous comedian father (world-renowned entertainer Jerry Lewis), a young comic (Oliver Platt -- THE THREE MUSKETEERS, GUN SHY) retreats to his old hometown when his act bombs in Las Vegas. Ready to try anything for inspiration, he's in for more than a few surprises before learning that his own eccentric family is the best material for a perfect act! You'll want to discover for yourself this uncommon comedy treat that's packed with unforgettable fun!

Romantic Tales Collection Box Set (Moulin Rouge / Romeo + Juliet / Ever After)

Romeo + JulietShakespeare's famous play is updated to the hip modern suburb of Verona still retaining its original dialogue. The gun-toting members of the families wage a vicious war on the streets as the star-crossed lovers their tragic destiny.Moulin Rouge!Christian a young wannabe Bohemian poet living in 1899 Paris defies his father by joining the colorfully diverse clique inhabiting the dark fantastical underworld of Paris' now legendary Moulin Rouge. In this seedy but glamorous haven of sex drugs and newly-discovered electricity the poet-innocent finds himself plunged into a passionate but ultimately tragic love affair with Satine the club's highest paid star and the city's most famous courtesan. Their romance is played out against the infamous club - a meeting place of high life and low where slumming aristocrats and the fashionably rich mingled with workers artists Bohemians actresses and courtesans.Ever AfterWith the sudden death of her loving father Danielle is made a servant by her new stepmother. She also has two new stepsisters one quite kind but the other one really horrid. Still Danielle grows up to be a happy and strong-willed young lady and one day her path crosses that of handsome Prince Henry who has troubles of his own at home. Luckily the nice Leonardo da Vinci is on hand to help all round.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: CHILDREN/FAMILY Rating: PG-13 UPC: 024543382201 Manufacturer No: 2238220

Blue Juice

Wax up your boards and hang 10 (or whatever) where the big waves come crashing in: off the English coast at Cornwall. Huh? No endless summer? No two girls for every boy? No, but in Blue Juice one can see what most of us probably never even thought about: the British Isles are indeed islands and, not incongruously, there's a considerable surfing culture with a handful of homegrown legends. One of the latter is JC (Sean Pertwee), a skilled surfer so driven by the challenge and so dedicated to his mates that it threatens his meandering romance with the long-suffering Chloe (Catherine Zeta-Jones). The two have planned an extensive, around-the-world trip as a kind of prelude to discussing marriage, but the arrangement is threatened when three of JC's old childhood chums arrive from London. One of them (played by Steven Mackintosh) is a famous record producer who has sold his soul (in every sense) to reap profits from fashionable electronica. Another (Ewan McGregor) is a chronic screwup resorting to hustling junk to unsuspecting customers. The last (Peter Gunn) is an anxious sort terrified of marrying his longtime girlfriend. Together, these four guys look like a pack of nowhere men and they know it: while the story largely focuses on JC and Chloe, there's plenty of material for the supporting characters to indulge in mucho self-loathing. The film never quite jumps off the screen and the script may be hampered by too many layers of character eccentricity, but this is still an enjoyable piece with some fine comic performances. --Tom Keogh